Meet Rocío Díaz | Artist

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

Hi Rocío, why did you pursue a creative career?
During my schooling years, there were never any funds for the arts. After my time at UCLA, I desperately needed a break from academic work and institutions. I fell in love with the freedom that art and creating gives me. I also got a lot of positive feedback from friends and family when I began, which fueled my motivation to keep growing and learning. I am a self taught artist and I love that because I don’t follow any rules or preconceived notions of what’s wrong and right, which makes my creative journey extremely unique to only me and it’s very rewarding. Everything from the social media content, to the materials and techniques I use for my jewelry and it’s packaging are created using my brain and my hands and I think that’s beautiful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I began Earth Fairies Co. back in August of 2020, I had just graduated from UCLA and the world was shutting down due to the pandemic. I had always been a great student and had focused on reading, writing, and speaking but I never had the opportunity to make art. With everyone staying home and everything being shut down, I gave myself the freedom to explore my artistic abilities for the first time in my life. My parents were also encouraging, since they’ve had different businesses on the side throughout the years. I loved the idea of being my own boss so I started Earth Fairies Co.

I am proud to be born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, California. This place is my playground despite the history of violence, poverty, and lack of resources. With my business, I wanted to put South Central on the map as a place where beautiful art can be made that is also environmentally conscious and politically proactive. There is a wave of local business love that I wanted to be a part of because I think it’s so important to support fellow creators and entrepreneurs in my hood so that we can continually invest in our community.

I love taking risks. I welcome situations that I am not comfortable in because I know that I will grow from those experiences. I also enjoy the unknown because it’s an opportunity for exploration. This attitude has benefitted Earth Fairies Co. in so many ways! If I were to have remained in my comfort zone, I would have never put my art out to be critiqued, attended any pop up shops, or even turned my business into an LLC. Starting my own business has put me in so many new situations that haven’t always been easy but have been opportunities to learn and grow.

Organization is key. My business does well when I plan, make goals, and set deadlines. It’s obviously hard to make time for everything and everyone in my life so I have to set boundaries to ensure that I spend enough time on my business each week. I love making lists and consulting my agenda because it keeps my tasks arranged and decreases my levels of stress. If there’s one thing I prioritize when creating art that I will be selling through Earth Fairies Co, it’s doing it with intention because whoever purchases any given item from me, they will absorb the energy that has gone into creating it. When I give myself the time to create from a place of abundance, it reflects in the success of my business.

When I created this business, I knew it wouldn’t be an immediate success but a lifelong journey. This way of thinking has kept me going even through the rough times, which have been many. If I would have given up at any slight inconvenience, I would have never even gotten started. There is no giving up, maybe taking breaks when things get overwhelming but I think that I must keep going as long as it allows me to dream bigger each time.

In the beginning, I had all the free time to spend working on growing my business. Recently, I decided to get a job to keep investing in my business. I am working as a museum guide and am going to also start working as a substitute teacher. These 2 part time jobs, on top of all my personal commitments with my partner, friends, family, and my danza group, have obviously taken time away from my business. I am learning to say “no” to some things but being in work mode is something that I am used to and sometimes I thrive when I’m busy as a bee. However, I am kind to myself and realize that it’s best to be present without worrying about the past or the future.

It’s an amazing feeling when people notice the work I’ve been putting in to produce a certain collection or product. It brings me so much happiness anytime someone places an order either through my website, Instagram, Facebook, or at a pop up shop. I am passionate about creating things with my own hands and taking basic supplies and tools to create unique wearable and functional art. People appreciating and supporting my art motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing.

Success means accomplishing my goals and this is a continuous process. I have a lot of short term goals that have made me proud to reach but also long term ones that keep me going. Choosing my business name, launching my website, attending pop up shops, making money, new friends, clients, and colleagues have all been moments of success. The biggest accomplishment though, has been seeing my own progress as an artist. I look back at the photos and products of 2020 and compare them to current ones and the growth is crystal clear! I am always manifesting bigger and better things for Earth Fairies Co. and I am consistently working on bettering my craft and that’s all I could ask for.

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.
I’m not an early morning kind of gal but I do love mornings at Hermosa Beach, watching the surfers & dolphins come out to play. I do love brunch though and some of my favorite spots are Loaded Cafe (their crepes are so good) in Gardena and Bird’s Nest Cafe in Downtown (great breakfast sandwiches). L.A. girls love to hike and I definitely love parks so my local ones are Jacaranda, Magic Johnson, or Kenneth Hahn. If I have some time to drive out further, I like the Angeles National Forest or the Santa Monica mountains. For a day of more moderate exercise, I’d go to museums at Exposition Park such as the African American Museum and the Natural History Museum or the many that are found in Downtown such as MOCA, Museum of Chocolate, Museum of Love, etc. Of course, a walk through Little Tokyo or the Santee Alley on the weekends is always fun. There’s also a bowling alley at the Little Tokyo Market Place which has arcade games and a karaoke place as well. You can find delicious pastries at Bliss Bakery, cute everything at Daiso, and sushi & ramen places inside the marketplace too. For boba though, I’d drive out to any Ding Tea for their brown sugar Milk Tea. For lunch, I’d go to Miches de la Baja for some micheladas and breaded fish tacos or Ensenada’s Surf N’ Turf (after swimming for hours at Hermosa Beach). If I’m feeling hungry during lunch time near Downtown, my go to’s are California Chicken Cafe, or Pasta Roma, for their salads & pastas respectively. If I’m feeling like eating a little less healthy, there are plenty of good spots around my neighborhood in South Central. Birria tacos “La Pely Grosa”, mariscos (seafood) “El Peri”, “Chago” tortas ahogadas, or me & my partner’s favorite “struggle” food from the Amapola (the most iconic market in my community): freshly made tortillas, salsa, carnitas, & beans. We usually buy all the ingredients and drive to a local park and make delicious tacos. However, my favorite foods are fried chicken sandwiches (Egg & Bird) and Indian food (Bollywood Bites). Evening activities include backyard ska shows if you’re into that. We also gather at Gage Bowl to play pool and bowl (or at Xlanes). You can also attend night pop up shops like Mystic Friday’s or South Central Market, Night Market Melrose, or many others and support local business. Of course you could also go to the Santa Monica pier and beach at night.
For late night fun, I like going to parks out in Azusa and starting bonfires with my boyfriend and his band and just jam out and drink some IPA’s. Angel City Brewery is open late night too for a more sociable ambient.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom is the best at everything she does. She is never afraid of trying new things and the way her mind works to solve problems and make things easier is something I admire. I have learned so much from just watching her and asking questions and I admire her very much.

Website: earthfairiesco.com

Instagram: @EarthFairiesCo

Image Credits
Jose Noe Avalos Leonel Funes Jr.