Meet Sophia Frizzell | Visual Artist

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

Hi Sophia, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
When I was growing up, I used to love watching my mom get ready for work every day. I would watch my mom dress herself in beautiful dresses, donning heels, meticulously spraying her hair, exuding a fearless passion for her role as a performer. She would always tell me, “Do what you love, because the future is never guaranteed”. These words are now my guiding principle.

Throughout my lifetime, I’ve also seen how much perseverance and a positive mindset matters, and how when you have no safety net, you will push through and make it work! I grew up in Highland Park, CA, a small area just a little outside Pasadena as the only child of a Hispanic single mom. Being an only child, I had to entertain myself a lot, which I think is the situation for a lot of only children. I could find a scrap piece of yarn and talk to myself for hours, just imagining scenarios in my head. Im glad it turned into a career!

Due to personal circumstances, adaptability has been a constant theme in my life, not just geographically but in the face of spontaneous change due to personal factors growing up. New people, new surroundings, nothing stayed the same for long. I feel going from place to place, being in situations where I didn’t know anyone, and having to be alert now made me into an adult who is so comfortable with being uncomfortable. I can walk into any room, any situation, any place and find a place for myself, or make one entirely my own. I now have an innate ability to “roll with the punches, and move forward instead of letting my past or hinder me. I look forward to making the best out of the situation I’m in!

My eyes were really open to the way the business side of creative endeavors work from a young age. I realize now how incredibly important it is to not only embrace your passion but knowing the importance of your work and how to preserve it. I’ve also found a good balance in trusting people. However, as I got older, I’ve learned that it’s a middle ground. To be vulnerable to connect with people, but to never lose your power. It’s a difficult thing to learn, but I’m taking it day by day :).

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work mainly consist of portraits, and tells stories of people in fantastically dark scenarios. I try to create a world with all of my characters in fantastic and seemingly macabre situations. My goal with my art is to bring solace and heal those who are in need. Whatever stories I have to tell, I feel I’m part of the collective that tells the stories people are too afraid to mention, the darker side.

My ideas for my work almost always come to me in my dreams. Since I was young, I’ve had these incredibly vivid, and sometimes frightening nightmares. I thought instead of being afraid of them, and having them live solely in my imagination, I would paint them, and bring them into a physical plane. (When I started this, I became less afraid!) It was really my mom who really encouraged my business, knowing that I could thrive if I made my work public. It was then I started on “ArtbyFrizzell”, and promoted my work to local galleries, shows, and competitions, and eventually started my own business!

The hardest part of doing any rewarding venture is starting! When starting your own business, you learn as you go, and sometimes it comes with major setbacks. It’s all trial and error at the beginning, how to market yourself, make an income, create your brand, budgeting, etc. We are now entering the digital age of artwork, a venture seemingly more daunting than ever. However, reading, research, and connecting with others in your boat makes all the difference! I found the most difficult hurdle was by far digital marketing. Navigating the correct trends, formats, angles, and audios for your work is incredibly overwhelming! But with enough practice, it makes it easy to push through!

The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far with my career is vulnerability. One of the hardest things people can do is be vulnerable, to put yourself out there for others to critique and judge. Innovation is rarely born within safe and familiar boundaries. Sometimes, I have an idea for a piece that I know isn’t anything at all like the work I usually produce, and thoughts will come into my head like “Will people even buy it?” or “I’ve already established the style of work I do, I can’t change it now”. These thoughts will never allow me to push forward. At the end of the day, every artist has to feel that they’ll only resonate with the public if it resonates with them, first.

Currently, I am so excited for my first book that I’ve Illustrated! I collaborated with my mom, Estani Frizzell, and produced a beautiful childrens book that tells the story of resiliance, self reliance, and self acceptance. “Introducing Sai the Peacock: The Unique Beak” is out everywhere in stores and online! Heres to our new book in 2024! 🙂 Through my work, I want people to know it’s possible. To know that your dreams are not just dreams, but can be your blueprints for the future if you let them!

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?
One thing I love about Los Angeles is how easy it is to find something to do and somewhere new to go! There is something for everyone!

For food, I recommend Grand Central Market for sure in Downtown LA! With its massive selection of authentic food from just about everywhere, you wont leave hungry. I also recommend La Grande Orange in Pasadena, one of my faves :).

Next, visit the Huntington Gardens! The scenery is abolutely gorgeous and runs for miles. They have guided tours, merchandise, tea rooms, and art throughout the park.

For films, watch one at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary! Cinespa puts on productions every year, showing icons films, even in commemoration of stars who have passed on and now reside at the cemetary. Or, if youre looking for a little more a bit more comfort, visit the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Blvd for a Broadway show! The Pantages is almost 100 years old, with an incredibly stunning interior and a rich history.

Finally, one of my favorite places that I visited when I was younger was the Queen Mary. The ship stays docked all year round, with so many attractions and tours!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my mom, Estani Frizzell, always!! For being my biggest supporter, my strength, and for always believing in me! I am so excited to have collaborated with her on our childrens book, creating “Introduing Sai the Peacock: The Unique Beak” with her writing and my illustrations. Heres to our second book coming in 2024!

Instagram: sophiavfrizzellart