Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucinda (L.Jay) Luevanos.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started dancing ballet folklorico when I was 4 years old until I was about 15. Other than that, I never really had any technical training when it came to dance I just had a passion for it that was unexplainable. When I was 19 I was given both athletic and academic scholarships to play college ball for Oklahoma Wesleyan University for soccer. Even though I had made it in the starting line-up, recorded as the fastest player, and played through two torn meniscus’ all season long, after just my first freshman semester there, I felt it in my heart that I needed to dance and should instead be going to school for that. So, I ended up going to school at UNLV and switched my major from psychology to dance and 3 years later and 16 years’ worth of catching up I had to do, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography along with UNLV Department of Dance’s Outstanding Performer Award. Now I spend my days choreographing, dancing, styling, modeling, and performing.
As far as Bomb Bayb Co. (pronounced babe), that all started with my desire for style and nowhere to wear it to. I had an over loaded closet full of unused, unworn, brand spanking new clothes that I could envision such beautiful outfits with but since I spent all my days in college or in the dance studio (no literally I would go into UNLV at 8:00am and not leave from rehearsals until midnight sometimes) I didn’t really go out much or wear anything other than leotards and over-sized sweatshirts. So, I decided to sell these one of a kind items to clear some space and also make some side cash. However, that side business started to grow and grow and I was falling in love with the idea of selling my style. I then asked my sister if she would like to start a clothing company together and so we did. Established in 2016, we have continued to flourish and evolve into the company that we are today and I’m so grateful for her and for everyone who continues to support us and purchase from Bomb Bayb Co., as we have loyal customers from New York all the way to New Zealand. We sell handpicked vintage, new, & upcycled cool shyt. Bomb Bayb Co was created by two sisters who are tequila queens, love coffee beans, and fashion magazines.
Please tell us about your art.
I create visual art. Art for the mind, body, heart, and soul. I have always been a very artistic person and appreciate all forms of it, whether it be poetry, music, on a canvas, I am a fan of it all. I like to incorporate my version of “the human experience” in my choreography and visual works of art. I have always been in love with photography and videography and how one can capture a moment so vividly with a lens. My goal is to capture those same stories we each go through and use movement in order to paint that picture. When I “feel”, I “feel” hard, whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, love, heartbreak. Regardless of the emotion, I sometimes, no all the time, bottle it up. When I choreograph that’s where I let it all out.
That feeling I get when I come across a piece of artwork that speaks to me is the same feeling I want to give when someone sees my work. I want their eyes to be watery because they didn’t blink not once for the entire length of the piece because it spoke to them in a way they couldn’t keep their eyes off of. Their hearts to be happy because they no longer feel as if they are going through whatever it is that they’re going through alone anymore because my work lets them know we all fall down sometimes or get broken or get hurt. I want people to know it shouldn’t be looked down upon to experience how you feel, it shouldn’t be looked down upon to be human. At the end of the day, I want my artwork to inspire and heal.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
My advice is to never listen to the people who tell you that you’re not good enough or that your dreams and goals are too big. Just because they never believed in themselves, doesn’t mean you have to do the same. This is your life, make it beautiful, make it everything you’ve always dreamed it would be.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My personal website is still under construction but as of right now my two main platforms that I use for my artwork is YouTube and Instagram. I love any and all support I get, it seriously means so much to me! You can follow me on Instagram @ljaylovee and YouTube: LJay Lovee
As far as my clothing brand that I co-own with my sister, you can purchase and view the Bayb life at www.BombBayb.Co and our social media links are @BombBaybCo.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bombbayb.co
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/ljaylovee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loosinduhbby
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ljaylovee
Image Credit:
@ErikJasonPhotography @Angelo_Sapida @JennyyyJenn @Va13ncia @StainedLens @TrustTheGawd @MGabe_Paras
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