Life & Work with Arcane Boles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arcane Boles.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Where do I begin, my mother will tell you that she chose my name because it means mysterious and understood by few. Growing up, you know, I found that to be true. I have always had my own way of approaching life. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized not everyone sees the world through a camera lens. Not everyone hears a soundtrack playing during their big moments or hears it replayed for each memory. I have this constant urge to stick out; to do something no one else has. And I can get lost in a project for days. It took me a while to discover my creative flow and even longer to understand it and where it comes from, but I’m getting there.

I grew up in Nebraska, the heart of the Midwest, in a free-range artistic home, with no shortage of creative influence. I was born into a family full of artistic talent that built the foundation of my visual style. My upbringing emphasized taking time to be present in each moment, full immersion in everything, appreciating details, and never-wasting the time we have.

I started creating movies when I was 10 and I got my first iMac for Christmas. It began as a way to pass the time and soon turned into a full-time creative outlet and passion. Filmmaking has always been my preferred medium for storytelling and conveying feelings. I’ve found it to be the one way to fully express myself and find the calm in my mind.

My biggest influence was my first mentor, my Grandma Jan. From the moment I was old enough, we were coloring, drawing, and painting. By grade school, we were taking trips to the art gallery to find inspiration. She guided me to recognize and develop my artistic style. Like her mother and grandmother before, Grandma was a painter, but she also was a middle school teacher and later a guidance counselor. I watched as she consistently chose to work at underfunded schools and with the most challenging kids because she saw them as having untapped potential. She taught me that in art and life, everything doesn’t have to be perfect; beauty is in imperfections. I found this hard to learn at first, but she was always there to point me in the right direction. I can now appreciate the imperfect details that make each creative piece unique. When she passed away, I found myself stuck and struggling artistically in her absence. Remembering what she taught me helped me find my way back to my art and continues to influence my filmmaking today.

I graduated from Doane University with a degree in Media Communications and an Art Minor. Attending a smaller school allowed me to customize my path. I was able to study and learn more about filmmaking, film history, writing and scoring, post-production, cinematography, documentary making, and color grading. Additionally, my minor education in Art provided me with a holistic skill set that reaches beyond just filmmaking. Such as journalism, program coding, graphic design, drawing, oil & acrylic painting, ceramics, and textile design. I draw from my diverse education to make each project stand out. I value and appreciate my time at Doane but can easily recognize that I have only begun to scratch the surface of the technical skills needed and the growth that comes with exposure to a program, its instructors and the environment specifically designated to film.

I’ve done commercial projects too. The most enjoyable have been promotion & performance videos for Boots & Cats (an acapella group from The University of Nebraska – Lincoln) and designing dynamic record covers for a local rapper, Jakobii Miller. Project-based work has challenged me to work within the bounds of someone else’s vision while still producing

Rounding out my list of education, skills, and experiences is my 16 years of competitive tennis. I attribute my determination, grit, and discipline to the years I spent on the tennis court. I learned to fail. And I learned to go right back to the drawing board and find a way to succeed. I played my way through the individual competition and the team and player dynamics in high school. Our team ultimately won a state championship. In college, I navigated through organizational politics and fundraising for charity, and in the end, we won our conference championship for the first time in 38 years. If I could pinpoint one thing tennis has taught me, I would say it’s shown me that there will always be mental and physical obstacles that you may encounter in life, but if you keep focused and dig your heels in, hard work always pays off in the end.

All of these things help make up who I am and direct my future path. I believe that time is the most precious, nonrenewable commodity, more than money or material possessions. This belief shapes my approach to life and learning: Why waste time on anything that doesn’t make you happy?

Getting to know who I am as a person and artist will be a lifelong pursuit, but I learn more each day. I want to pursue my passion over a paycheck, apply a hard work ethic and enjoy the grind. My style is driven by abstract, gritty, full-sensory design that leans towards intense hues and varying tones to express movement and depth. Rarely subtle, my work hopes to grab you by the shoulders and wake up your senses. My visual perspective thrives on change.

As of April 2023, I’m graduating from The New York Film Academy Los Angeles. The future may not be certain but I’m happy, content, and motivated. I am surrounded by a great group of family and friends who support my growth, which is something I believe everyone deserves. You know, I understand that I am the kind of person who always chooses to push forward and keep moving. Even with the craziness of the world. So I ask everyone.

Challenge me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think it’s been necessarily the easiest road but I say that with some hesitancy knowing that I am incredibly lucky to have a roof over my head, running hot water, and food. Overall, I think my determination and drive have allowed me to hurdle those obstacles. I faced a major health event on multiple occasions and without those experiences, I wouldn’t be able to do/accomplish what I have so far. I also grew up in Nebraska which is hard on anyone. 10/10 recommend visiting at some point in everyone’s life though. It’s a lovely place most days.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am proud mostly of my film and photography, as well as my painting. In the midst of Covid and lockdown, I took up painting and really have found a muse. My film is mostly experimental and avant-garde. I tend to do things a little wonky. I would say the thing that sets me apart is my attention to detail and my eye for color. I really enjoy color and finding new ways to pair colors, shapes, music and meaning all together.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That there are so many people and stories in this world that happen simultaneously. This may be a bit of a polarized take, but at the end of the day, I don’t think any of it matters. The clothes you wear, the price of your car, the size of your home, etc. Because if you strip all that away. All you have is you and the relationships you build. The most important thing I can think of is to cherish every encounter, be genuinely kind and lastly, just be true to your authentic self.

Contact Info:

• Website: arcanehazeboles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcanehazeboles/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arcane-boles-030201272/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDc608sq6ZulDtLVCf0aABg