Meet Sophia Smith | Live Artist

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

Hi Sophia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
There is a saying that hits home for me. “Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of Fear”
I pursued this creative path, because I was scared of it. Often, the thing that we fear the most, is what we should be doing.
It was highlighting something I really cared about. I knew I had to lean into my fears, otherwise I would never have known what was on the other side.

As many do, I started working at a very young age. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do secularly, but whatever it was, I always found myself racing back home to feed my inner creativity. The ‘starving artist’ mentality was the stereotype that I had embedded into my brain, so I knew I couldn’t make a living from that. Or so I thought. And that idea, of not bringing home a paycheck, scared me as it would with anyone trying to be industrious! A little over a decade later of working for others, I continued racing home to fuel that passion. The desire of trying all sorts of creative mediums flooded into my heart and creative curiosity was something I was willing to invest in. Whether that investment came in the form of my time, resources or energy, I was willing to take it. In full transparency, I didn’t know if this would turn into a career or not, what I did know, was that if I didn’t try, I would have to continue wasting my time somewhere else, only to race home to do the thing I really wanted. I chose a creative path, because finally, I was choosing to face my fears.
I was scared, and I did it anyway.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I was alittle girl, my grandma would come to visit during the summer. During her visits, she would use any tool she could get her hands on to create. She would paint, draw, sketch, paint figures, crochet, you name it. She had arthritis in her arms and legs. Even if she was in pain, and didn’t have the right tool, she would use what she could to create. Even if it was just a ballpoint pen. I would watch her in amazement. Little did I know, Art was her therapy. She was teaching me something I would later use in my life to represent my brand. She was teaching me to be curious and not to be scared of the things that scare you. Instead, brave the curiosity with wonderment. Both of my grandmothers were a source of inspiration to me.
Both of them were brave, and taught me to take on the challenges and not run from them.

So I too, started with a pen. A curious pen. I would sit in my brothers room, and we would draw together. Or with my family, when they were watching a movie or hanging out, you would find me sitting on the floor, doodling away. During that time, I quickly realized my love for letters. I like to say, Calligraphy is the tree trunk to the very beginnings of my business. It started there and so many branches grew from it.

Curious Pen Calligraphy started where every calligrapher starts, by creating greeting cards. I used my love for watercolor medium, and combined my love for letters, to try and start selling greeting cards or paint commissioned pet portraits. Many of these came from my dear friends who wanted to just support me. But I realized I could not make a proper living in LA from this. So I started to stretch my services and skills even further by offering Envelope addressing and place-cards. Still, LA inflation is real. Curiosity lead to questions like: “What other services can I offer”, “What is my style?”, “What does my clientele look like?” “Should I just stick to only calligraphy? or “How can I also incorporate my love for painting?”

That lead me to join The Craft Academy who taught me how to utilize my skills to offer these service working for Luxury brands and be apart of their event activations, as a Live Artist. Using my calligraphy skills to now engrave on fragrances, or use a hot foil pen on leather goods. So I created a portfolio of my calligraphy skills and began to send off my brand deck to different companies. It wasn’t easy, it took time to get the ball rolling. But I kept my head down, and worked. I used social media platforms such as Instagram to showcase my work and my website. Eventually, the ball moved.

My first event that hired me was for Tiffany and Co. The event was Painting flowers on name tags and using calligraphy to write the clients names on their gift tag. I am proud to say I got to use both my love for writing and painting at my very first event.

I remember a major moment for me. I got an opportunity to work for the incredible Harry Styles! I couldn’t believe it. He had 3 pop ups featuring his merchandise. There was one in London, New York and LA. I was chosen to be LA calligrapher. What a privilege that was! After that I started working for other luxury companies such as (but not limited to) Tiffany and CO, Cartier, Prada, Fendi, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

But my creative heart wanted more. I wanted to create core moments with my art.

Painting was in my wheel house as well. I would come home from my events and paint and sketch anything I could. I was inspired by so many artists who were using their creative skills and offering live performances. So I asked myself a curious question. “Could I offer live art?” , “What would I be painting?”

I found myself offering Fashion Illustrations as a live art service to the same companies listed above. I would take a picture of their guests and paint or draw them onsite. My clientele quickly began to grow and was reaching more than just Luxary companies. My work was reaching the wedding industry. Brides wanted to hire me to paint their guests on the most important day of their lives. To be considered to be apart of their precious day, is such a privilege. Each guest is unique, and I wanted them to know that! Fashiona and Guest Illustrations were officially added to the mix of my listed services.

My creative curiosity hasn’t stopped there and I hope it never will. Whats next at Curious Pen headquarters you say? Live portrait wedding painting?
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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok, this is a hard one! There are SO many awesome places here in LA.
I think I would start with breakfast at Portos? or Joan’s on Third? Lillits Cafe? I would take them to all. haha. I wouldnt be a true friend if I didnt take them to the Getty. Here in LA but also the one in Malibu too. I would than take them to of-course…Inn and Out for lunch. Because thats the best burger in the world, if you don’t agree with me we can’t possibly be friends. If their into famous people and the Hollywood industry, maybe take a walk down Hollywood and highland, or a tour at Warner Brothers. Perhaps catch a movie the Chinese theatre, or Cinemark. I also would take them to Old town Pasadena, Vromans book store, and Urth caffe live there! Our beaches here have murky shark infested waters. So likely I wouldn’t encourage them to go swimming but the water is beautiful in distance on the Santa Monica or Ventura pier. Roscoes waffle and chicken is a MUST. At night very likley we will be going to one of my favorire Tiki Bars, Tonga Hut in North Hollywood. Little Toyko in DTLA will feel like your in Japan, at least for 2 blocks. While we are there we will also go to my favorite big band swing lounges, the Cicada Club where you are transported to 1940s, Ol’ blue eyes would be proud. To see the city lights at its height, I would take them to the Griffith observatory and end the night seeing the greatest artwork painted by the greatest artist.

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?
My precious Dad and Mom, who saw something in my work that I couldn’t see and believed in me far greater than I ever could. A big shoutout to my incredible Brother. You might not know this but you along with Nene were the first artists who really inspired me. Many more came after you, but you were the first ones. My beautiful Sisters, and my sweet Brother in laws, who kept encouraging me to keep going, despite the fears. My dearest friends who supported me, far too many to name, you will know who you are when you read this.

A major shout out to The Craft Academy. This educational resource has truly opened up WORLDS of opportunities for me. Within it, I have learned that I CAN be my own boss. I have developed long lasting friendships, camaraderie and education that is unmatched. To it, I am truly grateful.

Lastly, to my wonderful husband. I love you more than words can describe, (As you can see, I can’t describe them!) and you will never know the depth of gratitude I have for you. The life I have is because you exist in it.

Website: https://www.curiouspencalligraphy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiouspencalligraphy/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Curiouspencalligraphy/