Meet Khristian “Luci” Osuna | Artist & Costumer/Prop maker & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Khristian “Luci” Osuna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Khristian “Luci”, what do you attribute your success to?
For me, the most important factor behind my success has been a strong willingness to learn, grow, and never give up. Without the risks I took and the acceptance of failing – I wouldn’t be where nor who I am today. From an early age, it became clear that the people around me were a strong indication of what my own outlook and behavior was on life. It was through the years that the idea of “show me your inner circle and I’ll show you a mirror” became strongly important to me. Although my eagerness to grow and learn has guided me through my path of success its ultimately been the circle around me and the people in my corner that have made my success just that much sweeter. Especially recently, it has become clearer that there is an undeniable need for a strong support system in every person’s life and people to reassure you that no matter your successes or failures, there is more road to drive ahead. It’s far too common for us to fall into this idea that perfection is necessary and that with every endeavor our name is on the line but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Part of life is learning from the mistakes and failures we make so that the next time an opportunity arises we are able to use that experience to better ourselves and the people around us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a costume/prop maker & designer from Los Angeles, California. I make a broad range of projects such as superhero armor/suits, gadgets and props, and other exciting and challenging works. What I am most proud and excited about and what I believe sets me apart from others is my attention to detail and persistence in finding something new and out of the box to share with the world. As a very young child, my creative side was shown by me going through all the drawers in the house and finding bits and pieces of different objects to combine and turn into some kind of blaster or superhero gadget; but what was so formative to me since the beginning of my creating days was to challenge myself and use the last build, craft, or art project as a lesson for how to attack the next one ahead. The journey has definitely not been all easy. Being an artist, (a devout one) means sacrifices are inevitable. There were many days where for me it felt smarter to invest in more art supplies than to eat any food. When spoonfuls of peanut butter became breakfast, lunch and dinner it gave me an incentive to make every bit of hard work worth it for myself and for my family one day.

Creativity has brought forth more life lessons than I can count but there’s always one persistent list of ideologies that have proven to be a foundation to not just success but happiness for me.

1) Spread love and watch the flowers bloom – when we connect, share, and reach out, THAT is when limits are broken and revelations are made.
2) Live each day like it could be your last – drink it in. Take the risk, make the change, and watch the constraints of your worries wash away into new opportunities.
3) Carve your name into the walls of history with nothing but your raw true self – be you and no one else & remember that this is YOUR journey.

If there was one thing I’d want the world to know about me and my story it’s that there’s never a right path to success and giving up can’t be an option if you want it THAT bad. There will never be an ideal time to pitch that business, make that move, or shift gears – but there will always be an opportunity to seize and make into something magical. My journey as an artist has been nothing short of chaotic – but had I accepted that there was a right and wrong way to go about it, I probably wouldn’t be here writing this interview and sharing with you what I think is what matters most in life as entrepreneurs, creatives, and human beings.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For a week-long itinerary, I’d recommend starting each day with an early morning coffee at a local shop called “Ginger” in Pasadena where they pack a whole lot of heart into every coffee and pastry they make. (Bubbas’ barbeque on the first Sunday of every month is literal magic.) Next, around lunchtime pack up with some comics or books, a chair, and a speaker, then get yourself a signature sandwich and Lemonatta from Roma’s Italian Market before heading to Lacy Park to enjoy it all together with a side of sun. I always recommend spending afternoons exploring different local attractions such as the Neon Retro Arcade for classic games, Vroman’s Bookstore for a captivating book/browsing experience, or even some outdoor activities like nearby hiking trails, botanical gardens, museums, or unique shops spread throughout the city. It’s essential however to take it all in slowly and soak up all of the beautiful surroundings we are blessed with each and every day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are probably a million people who come to mind when it comes to highlighting and “shouting out” some of the vital roles in my life. My mom & siblings, my girlfriend, my friends, or even my high school history teacher Mr. Perkins. However, this is going to focus on the impact that Jonathan De Chicchis and Ryeley Palfi have made on me. Jonathan and I met in 2019 during a hard point in my life and without any hesitation he took me in like a brother and showed me a whole new perspective to the world that I was unaware would become my everyday motto. “Never settle for anything less than ideal” was something that I took to my core. The concept of pushing for greatness and reaching for the stars is one that I not only hold close to me, but actively bring practice to with every person in my surroundings and I couldn’t thank Jonathan enough for showing me that lens of life.

Ryeley Palfi lived by the idea that it is more important for us to live life vs simply existing in it. One of the most important things he has taught me is to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible and keep the fire burning inside. We are given so much freedom in the lives we live and to do nothing with that magic is simply foolish. There is a potential for all of us to harness the greatness we carry in everyday life and apply it to our families, friends, jobs, relationships, and more. There is power in believing you’re meant for greatness but it begins and grows from within. Without that self-support, it’s impossible to be the maker of your own life puzzle. “Do not succumb to the average nor conform to what society has led us to believe the way life is meant to be lived. I am the master of my own game.” – Ryeley Palfi

Website: https://khristianosuna.myportfolio.com

Instagram: lucimakes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khristian-osuna-3994a5192/

Other: Email: kosunayt@gmail.com

Image Credits
@cosnapography, @worldofgwendana