Meet AmbiKa Sanjana | Stylist & Producer & Creative Director

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

Hi AmbiKa, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Every artist eventually comes to a crossroads and has to choose whether to keep fighting and continue on or to give up. Every time I reach the point where I feel defeated, I remember my father and the sacrifices he made as a single father with two kids immigrating to America to make a better life for us. I want to honor the sacrifices he made for us by pushing through all of the challenges and difficulties that come my way with the strength and grit passed down by my courageous dad.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a multidisciplinary artist who works in mixed media, my art encompasses creative to logistical aspects with a global influence on my work inspired by many years of traveling for my professional endeavors. I have reached where I am today by sacrificing weekends, nights, family time, birthdays, and holidays. Through the various challenges I have had to overcome, my connection to the spiritual realm has guided me through each of them. In this superficial industry, practicing prayer helps strengthen my connection to the source which, in turn, helps bring me back in touch with reality, grounding me so that I can achieve balance and comfort in the stressful lifestyle that comes with my career.

One aspect that has helped the development of my career along the way is being open to advice and mentorship from people that I respect and/or have more experience than me. I have learned many lessons throughout this journey: sleep is overrated, keep your circle small, you’re only as good as your last picture/project, and of course, stay humble. An important lesson that I must single out: society’s expectations do not have to define you. My entire career trajectory has been based on a small belief that I knew I had it in me. The amount of rejections and failures that I’ve encountered is unfathomable due to how far my successes have driven me. I hope that through everything I stand for and everything I try to convey through my image, others will see my work and feel inspired to believe in themselves. Simply believing in yourself can change the entire course of your life, so if you can dream it, do it, and if you have the privilege of doing it, never stop fighting for it.

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.
If my best friend was visiting the area, we would be traveling throughout the entirety of LA, enjoying amazing sights and restaurants, and creating meaningful experiences through giving back to the community! We would visit the Griffith Observatory, Venice Canals, Silver Lake, Rodeo Drive, and a few stops around Malibu. We would enjoy meals at Gracias Madre, Follow Your Heart, Moonshadows Malibu, and Yamashiro. We would add a touch of artistic influence by seeing a play at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Ending our exhausting yet fulfilling week of adventures, we would spend Sunday afternoon volunteering for the non-profit organization “The Good Karma LA.” Here, we will help distribute 300 meals, 300 water bottles, snacks, clothing, and anything else that has been donated to give to the unhoused residents of Skid Row.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to my incredible dad. He supports me in every way – emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. My life has been immensely impacted by his belief in me and his encouragement in my darkest moments. I know his support will last a lifetime, and I will forever cherish his love, strength, and bravery, as it has helped me develop into the woman I am today.

Website: https://www.styledbyambika.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styledbyambika/