Meet Talia Johnson | Musician & Multimedia Artist

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

Hi Talia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I don’t consider myself a very big risk-taker, I never have. But at the end of the day, there are sayings in life that exist for a reason. “No risk, no reward.” “Scared money doesn’t make money.” I’m in a point in my life now where, I think I need to be taking more risks and really considering what I’m putting on the line. When I do, it’s for what I firmly care about and believe in. In the past, I’ve taken risks that started off with me being more fearful and resistant than anything else. But those risks ultimately led to being exactly where I am today and I think about that a lot nowadays. I contemplate risks I will have to take in the future to reach my goals of success and personal prosperity. I want to be more open to risk-taking as a way to alchemize opportunity and experiences for myself, especially in my career. I think taking risks presently looks like connecting with other people in the art and music world, putting myself out there. Not wavering in the face of other opinions and my own self-doubt or worries. So, taking risks serves the role of assisting, expanding, and helping me. I don’t do it for fun; You won’t find me in a casino throwing money away in hopes of doubling it. It’s not recreational, in other words. But when I do take a risk, it’s going to be because I really care about the potential benefits for my quality of life. It won’t be impulsive.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an interdisciplinary artist born and raised in Southern California. I come from a diverse family background and my artistic ritual has been a work-in-progress since early childhood. I’ve practiced mix media and music since I was a little girl. I began dedicating myself to an arts-centered education in high school and from there, my journey continued through multiple institutions.

My mediums include vocal music, piano, writing, drawing, painting, analogue & digital photography, textiles, and fiber materials. With these mediums, I often use myself, my life, and my observations as the primary subject. My overarching goal as an artist is to bring music and visual art together to tell personal stories and impact meaningful change, through my perspective as a mixed-race woman trying to understand the world around me.

My artistic practice is young and unfixed, but currently in its most evolved stage, my artwork and songs explore themes related to identity, culture, family, love and loss. Much of my process has been shaped within the context of recent life experiences and phases of transition I’ve gone through. The highly independent practice I’ve cultivated is, in part, a consequence of simply lacking help and certain resources. However, by working with my limitations, what I do has evolved into somewhat of an intentionally isolated, meditative ritual that I consider a standout quality of my work. At its core, art-making has always been a form of self regulation for me. Though I am currently working to expand my practice and include other artists and community members, particularly in music, my work must always circle back to me and what I truly care about. Producing art that can be traced back to my own hands, life experiences, and mind is a primary component of my work and methods.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend is visiting, I’d definitely prioritize good eats and fun things to do. I’d take them to Echo Park at some point for the bar scene; there are some really fun spots on Sunset Boulevard. For a fancier experience, I’d have to take them to Irie in West Hollywood on a weekday evening. I love used clothing and vintage shopping as well, so I’d probably direct us towards some local boutiques I know of around Northeast LA. I really enjoy nature and being outside when the weather is nice, so I’d take them to a nice park for a picnic or a hiking trail — Angeles Crest and Griffith Park are some classic spaces for this. If it’s summer time, Laguna Beach has to be on the itinerary. And we would definitely have to eat some authentic asian food at some point in the trip, which would mean heading to Alhambra, San Gabriel, and/or Monterey Park. Getting an iced tea goes without saying.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout some of the educators that uplifted me in my early years. Starting with some of my favorite teachers in school: Amber Serkez, Hilary Clegg, Heidi Bowman, Erick Taggart and Andrew Pegan. Thank you for your time, dedication, kindness, respect, and integrity to your students — I will never forget my experiences in your classrooms. I’d also like to recognize Chelsea Mosher for her wealth of information and patience with me in the CSU Long Beach Photo Department; her courses catalyzed some of my best photographic work and provided a sense of belonging during a lonely time. Lastly, shoutout to my family for their unconditional love and care. My success is our success.

Website: https://www.talia-johnson.com/

Instagram: @taliajstudio

Image Credits
Image 1: Marina Caamaño @casanailhaart (instagram)
Talia Johnson @taliajstudio (instagram)