Anna and Trevor are the creative directions and founders of Russ Magic – a creative agency on a global scale that helps curate artists (and themselves) from across the world put together amazing pieces of art – including one that they just did recently with artist Jakarta right here in Edmonton for Mural Fest (you can check it out at 10238 104 Street)

In Eric’s conversation with Anna and Trevor, they discuss how each one of them got into the creative space, how they combined forces to start Russ Magic, and take a deep dive into arts and culture.

Here’s a few of our favourite points from Eric’s conversation with Annaliza and Trevor – and you can check out the full episode of 12TV here.

YOU’RE LIVING A LIFE YOU DESERVE

Annaliza and Trevor currently live in Bali, and Annaliza talks about how when they first moved there, they had this form of guilt because they were living their dream, living this wonderful life.

A friend told her, “you’re living a life that you deserve.”

This really stuck with the two, and in this episode reminds listeners that you are so deserving of everything and anything that you want. When you believe that, a lot of the fear that you have will start to disappear.

GRAFFITI ACTUALLY HELPS THE COMMUNITY

Repeat after us: graffiti does not equal gang and violence.

This is something that Trevor talks passionately about.

The media has this narrative in their head that if you do graffiti, you’re a gangster – or that doing graffiti is a “gateway drug” almost to bigger crimes when in reality, it’s the opposite.

Trevor says that graffiti actually creates a community for artists. It’s giving people, kids things to do and different ways to be creative throughout the city and express themselves.

ART IS FOR EVERYONE

Trevor and Annaliza have really noticed that they have allowed everybody to enjoy art. Sometimes, certain places like boujee art galleries or events are not welcoming to certain people in the community.

Doing their murals embraces everyone. It’s not just for people to take selfies with, it’s for the people who live on the streets who have personal traumas and some of these murals have helped them.

In this latest one that they’ve created in Edmonton, they have had people crying looking at it because it reminds them of a sister who has passed away or a loved one who is not with them anymore.

It’s for everybody.

We know that Edmonton has been struggling a little bit as far as homelessness and drugs, and Trevor and Annaliza just want their murals to shine a bright light and give these people a sense of hope.

And they are hearing that. It motivates them to continue doing murals and creating in Edmonton.

TAKING THAT LEAP INTO DOING WHAT YOU LOVE

In our society, a lot of people who want to work in the arts and creative space often feel like they can’t because they need to work a 9-5 where they make a stable income.

Annaliza’s advice?

✔ Consistency and discipline is key
✔ Stay on your goal
✔ Don’t lose vision. Keep writing about it, imagining it.
✔ Hold those pictures of success in your end and don’t let go of it.

If right now you are going to a job you don’t enjoy and are wanting to pursue another field, see your current job as a stepping stone to get to where you want to go.

DON’T WAIT FOR VALIDATION – JUST GO OUT AND DO IT.

Trevor talks about how when you’re an artist, you seek validation from others.

And this can really keep you back.

One of the best things Trevor and Annaliza had done when they started thinking about creative projects was producing themselves. At the time, galleries were looking for different mediums. So what they did was rent a space, put their art up, and hosted/marketed themselves.

Which is where the just go out and do it comes from – every artist is waiting to blow up, and that’s not coming all of the time. You really have to hustle and put yourself out there. And with social media these days, there’s no way that you can’t.

While you can be the most incredible artist, you also need to learn how to market yourself.

and that's all we got for this week!

Be sure to check out the full episode of 12TV here. This is a great conversation for anyone in or interested in the creative space, entrepreneurs, and anyone who may just need some inspiration.

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