There are a few different areas you work in. Please tell us what they are, do you have a favorite and why?
I’m an artist first. I always painted and sketched growing up. I translated my ideas over to photo shoot concepts. I design, build props, style wigs, and do my own makeup for all the shoots i model in, unless stated otherwise. There’s a few makeup artists that i collaborate with sometimes. I just really dig their work. However, the satisfaction i get from competing a modeling project is no where near acting. I absolutely love it, and its where my heart is at. I want to one day work on a sci-fi television series as an alien or creature under prosthetics, playing some sort of kick-ass, starship commander.
What inspired your passion for art and who has been there supporting you from the beginning?
I started drawing at a very young age. I loved making my own comic books. I actually drew a series about my experiences in high school. I stopped around grade 11. Wish i kept going, but video games became more of a priority. As for support, i’d have to say myself, i criticized and forced myself to grow into a better artist from the very start.
Have you always aspired to be artist, or did you ever dream of following a different path?
Yes, I remember even when i was young. I knew i was meant to have some sort of artistic career.
How do you feel about the your industry today?
I wish artists were treated with more respect. I know so many amazing ones that are broke because people don’t want to pay for their services. It’s one of the most annoying things in the industry. I look forward to the day it changes.
Are there any exciting plans for 2015?
Oh, yes! My goal is to make 2015 an even better year. Bigger projects, higher quality work, and more film/television credits under my belt. The most exciting news so far is getting flown to Winnipeg for C4 (a comic book convention) as a guest in April 2015. It’ll be my first time on a plane!
Is there anything you are currently working on that you would like to tell us about?
I generally keep my projects a secret, but i can give a little hint. My 2nd book cover will be out in January.
Who have you always dreamed of working with/for and why? How would you go about accomplishing this?
Ooooh, man. I would absolutely love to work with Kevin Smith or Joss Whedon one day. Although, i’d probably make an ass of myself. I would be in fangirl level 1000 mode. Only way to accomplish this is to make my way to the top in the film industry. Which i truly believe i can do.
In your career, what steps do you plan on taking to reach your goal?
It’s all about investing, networking, and making an effort to constantly put your work out there. If so, what are they?
Have you found that as you are starting out in your career, there are aspects that have taken you completely by surprise?
Haha, yeah. There’s barely any money to be made. Even the most established alternative models in my field don’t make money. Its such a common misconception when you see models on covers of magazines, doing wicked photo shoots, you immediately think. “ah they’re so lucky, they must be so rich, living the life”. Nope nope nope, not true at all. Most cases, they’re working a 9-5. Which isn’t a bad thing at all. I do the same while funding my career. But i wish more girls we’re aware of this. Many come into the industry with the wrong impression and start charging rates after they do 3 photo shoots.
What is the greatest thing about working in the your industry? And what would you change if you had the opportunity?
I get to choose what projects i work on and I always have creative control. I wish there was more Alternative magazines in stores. A lot of established ones on shelves pull inspiration from alternative culture, especially in high fashion.
If you could ask anyone for advice, who would you like to ask?
From your experience in the arts, what advice could you offer people looking to succeed?
Network!
What courses/classes would you recommend someone take, if they want to be a professional in the creative industry?
Depending on what artist field you plan to pursue, your best bet is to research and ask students that are currently attending or graduated. Facebook and Google are great tools for this.What would you have liked to ask?
If this question is a follow up to 13. I’d ask these students if the course was any good? I know many people that went to school, spent a ton of money, only to come out completely disappointed. So really research and make sure. I recommend trade schools over Collage and University, but thats just for my field. You definitely need a higher education if you want to be a lawyer, doctor, police officer. etc. But for arts, usually a diploma is perfect and for that, trade schools.
From your experience so far, what have you found to be most challenging? And how have you dealt with it?
For modeling, finding good locations to shoot at *cough *cough without a permit. I usually just alter my concept if i can’t find exactly what I’m picturing. For acting, good roles for females and roles all together. Toronto has so many talents actors, but not enough jobs for them. I’m in ACTRA, an acting union in Canada and i know so many established actors that barely get work. Many american productions film in this city and already have 98% of their cast filled with american actors. Theres only small actor roles and the odd principal available for Toronto talent, and most of the time its for male roles. So, i create my own content and continue to put myself out there. I just keep at it, I know eventually it’ll all fall into place.
Share with us your proudest moment in your career so far?
Ahh, it’s a tie, for both acting and modeling. In 2013, I booked my first principal role on an international commercial. It was for Crystal Light. I was only in it for 3 seconds, However booking that role was such an achievement for me. I beat out hundreds of applicants from not only Toronto, but Vancouver and L.A as well. So many of my friends saw it too, i took over peoples TV screens for almost a year. Coolest 3 seconds of fame everrrr!! haha.
For modeling, getting my first magazine cover earlier this year. That really opened doors for me. I got so many offers and better publications after that. It felt good to write that off my goal list. It’s the most rewarding feeling after years of hard work.Thanks so much for having me! I was completely flattered when you used my image as the cover. It made my day.
Portfolio links:
Deviantart: http://lovinayavari.deviantart.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LovinaYavari
IG: @lovinaaliendick
Youtube Channel: Lovina Yavari
Photo Credits:
Casual Wonder Woman
Photographer: Altovenue
WW Blazer: Cute and Curious
Model/MUA/Stylist/Tiara(self made): Myself
Thespia
Photographer: Olga Lipnitski Photography
Wardrobe: Decadent Designs
Eyelashes: were made by Taeden Hall of Gloomth & the Cult of Melancholy
Model/MUA/Hair: Myself
Gotham Gal
Photographer: Altovenue
Model/Makeup/Costume Assessories (collar,mask,gun,wig,shoes,gloves): Myself
Bikini: Scifeyecandy
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