Meet Casey Garbers: Freelance Artist / Curator

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

Hi Casey, why did you pursue a creative career?
I am far from being the first person to make this statement, but I’ve chosen to pursue a creative path because quite frankly, I don’t see another option for myself. Creativity is something that I find in every moment of my day; something that follows me from place to place enticing me to try new things and express myself in those moments (taking others with me in the process). Making money is not really my goal either so I feel lucky that I don’t allow that factor to dictate my direction. I create with the intention of supplying people with a very simple gift: Happiness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have this very clear memory of when I was “graduating” from kindergarten to 1st grade. We all had to go on stage and declare what we wanted to be when we grew up. I shyly went up to the microphone and said, ‘ARTIST’. When I graduated from Otis College, this memory followed me up on stage and helped me accept that diploma. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of being a creative professionally and honestly, I’m still figuring it out. I began branding my work with the title ‘SomethingCuteForYou’ during college with the intention of providing something as simple as a smile. I identify most of my work with Illustration, Hand-lettering, and Embroidery, but I do like to dip my toes in just about everything. I think it’s important to keep myself stimulated with new tools in order to keep myself in motion as well as engaged. A year after college, I was given the opportunity to dive into a pool I knew nothing about; I began the creation and curation of a marketplace called MartBarLA. This was the largest learning experience/experiment I had ever put myself through and turned out to be completely worth it. I was so excited to create such a welcoming platform for local artists and small businesses to come together, collaborate, connect and share their craft with the community. As sweet as the situation was, the territory still came with a fair amount of trial and error. As a creator, as an artist, as a person, you have to be willing to fall flat on your face when entering a new arena; willing to work with no budget, understanding rejection, and working through vulnerability. It’s a tough game, but It’s achievable. Most things are. Most things, though, take a tremendous amount of time and effort and those looking to achieve, have to be aware of that. So I suppose, I’m still figuring out how to live off of my craft, but I’m having a hell of a time doing just that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Inglewood, I feel pretty centralized, so we’re going to go a lot of different directions! 1. Head down to this burger joint in Venice called “The Window”. Hands DOWN the best burger & fries you’re gonna get. 2. Take a walk west to the Venice boardwalk and keep going until you hit the Santa Monica Pier. We will grab a little ice cream from the shop by the carousel and sit at the end of the pier watching fishermen, the occasional seal, and of course, the passers-by. 3. Museums are a must, The Hammer & The Broad 4. Jump on the Angel’s Landing trolly down to Grand Central Market for literally any food you can think of 5. Study and ride the historic carousel in Griffith Park As for night life… 1. My favorite spot is Clifton’s Republic. Multiple themed rooms, giant tree, 4 stories, absolutely gorgeous. 2. The Little Easy. Very French & fancy in the front, very New Orleans in the back. 3. Quick drink at Good Times at Davey Waynes where you literally walk through an old fridge to get in 4. Dinner at Hatchet Hall. Jalapeño cornbread that’s too good to be fair. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother, for never telling me I couldn’t wear that. For encouraging abstract thought and emotion. For always seeing my interests as passions. My partner, Brian, for being my “yes” always and for pushing me to try everything. My marketplace, MartBarLA, and every single artist and business that participated and encouraged me to keep going. Their enthusiasm is always with me. My friends from grade school, high school, and college. They always backed my choices and made being weird really fun.

Website: somethingcuteforyou.squarespace.com

Instagram: _somethingcuteforyou

Other: Instagram: @martbar_la

Image Credits
Casey Garbers