Meet Airyes itos | Artist, Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Airyes itos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Airyes, why did you pursue a creative career?
Hi, it is a pleasure to reconnect and share more with you. Why did I pursue a creative career? ⎯ thank you for asking. It was not much of a pursue, I am confident to say it is my life. One of my artistic skills, turned work, is my photography. Choosing photography, as of one my businesses, was a welcomed challenge. It took a lot of energy and hope, a great deal of struggles, that I would get this business up and going. My life as a creative, an artist comes natural to me. I have drawn, painted, written, acted, sang, edited, directed, performed, and so on, since I was little itos (yes, “itos”, lower case, as it is my sister’s first word calling out to me as a baby). One of my main mediums is writing. I love poetry, the powerful vulnerability of words. I describe my writing as “typing paint”, a project in the works actually. I type paint. I create with my whole being. When it comes to myself as a photographer, I create and capture moments, not just with the camera, but with what I feel is an inner eye. I have been photographing moments and editing for a long time now. I would edit online friends’ photos to post on their pages, I would direct and setup photoshoots and photograph family events, consistently. One of my grandest joys as a teen, was creating my own photographs of myself. I loved posting my newest self portrait, that I creative directed, photographed, and edited, for many to see on my online pages. Sharing my self portraits, I felt celebrated and seen as an artist, as someone with great skills that were admirable. As an editor and creative director, I credit my artistic experimentation, and my years of practice, for the growing passion and skillsets I have today. Pursuing one career was and is not my goal, my goal is to be everything I feel within myself. I take inspiration from within and admire my own abilities. The poems, lyrics, pieces I write, the melodies and songs I sing, the photographs, videos I edit, and all the outlets I get to pour myself into, ⎯ that is where I see myself, where I create me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As I create, I learn more. As I learn, I create more. I am elevating in excitement for what I actually put into motion now. I used to dream of ways I could express myself in larger scales, but I feel it expanding more and more than ever. I love what I write (you can see some of my pieces on my blog ⎯ on airyes.com) and I am grateful to my readers, as some have expressed how they relate to my words. I am proud of my work as a radio show host, I am growing an audience and able to create a story through my shows and song choices. I love to connect live with people and this medium is wonderful for me! Alongside my photography, I am developing my skills as a music video director. I am excited for more of my projects to be released and I look forward to creating a space of my own.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a fun question! So I do enjoy the city and all it has to offer, such as concerts in Phoenix, the Mountains to hike, the art museums, and parks. Still, if I had someone wanting to visit the area or recommend a local somewhere, it would be to go up north. I would say to go out and enjoy the snowy forests of Flagstaff or the flowing waters of Sedona. It love the weather, the serenity, and the outdoors of it all! I love being in nature and those are my favorite spots nearby!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank you for this opportunity to acknowledge those that have supported me with their love and encouragement. As I kid, it was difficult to see if I had much of any cheerleaders in my life. I had struggled with tormentors for a majority of my childhood and years after. I say this to be a voice for anyone that may be hurting due to circumstances that some believe better to be left unsaid. Where I am now, with growing awareness, I see I had a beautiful light always within and around me, ⎯ no matter how small it may have flickered at times. I want to thank my sister, my grandmother, and my mother. Thank you for who you are to me today and who you were since I was just a little learning soul. To my grandma, thank you for being a big supporter and a safe space. I love the talks we have, the stories we share, and the moments I cherish. I feel the love and adoration you have for me. Thank you for sharing how much greatness you see in me and for celebrating me for being myself. I adore our time together and the memories you share. To my mother, thank you for being an example to me. You have shown me that I could do more than just survive whatever may come my way, but that I could still keep my dreams and see possibilities. I love our relationship today. I appreciate our humor, understanding, and acknowledgments. You are ever blooming, intelligent, and vibrant. To my sister. Hi. Just Kidding! You already know how much I love you. You are the most passionate and openhearted girl. Thank you for being my protector as kids, I always hold that near and dear to me. Thank you for your continuing support and celebration. You are love a lot, you are tender heart, and you are the braveheart of care bears. I could write a book of all the beautiful ways of your heart, but I just want to let you know now, that I see you for you, and I celebrate you as much as you do me. Thank you mom, thank you isha, thank you grandma. I love you, love you. Your itos.

Website: airyes.com