Maria Kobalyan
Artist / Founder, Vertexx

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
I studied interior design and architecture. I make jewelry, and am the proud independent owner of the jewelry brand Vertexx.

How did you first become interested in art?
I think of myself as an artist from birth. I always knew I wanted to study art, design, or fashion. My passion was always stirred by creative outlets.  I come from a family of architects and builders. In school, I always looked for inspiration from art throughout the centuries, from impressionism to contemporary art.

How does art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can engage with art in Burbank?
Art enriches a community by bringing the community together. By sharing about and educating others about individual works of art, we teach youth about the past to better the future. Any type of community activity that has a focus within the arts helps to encourage creativity and allows people to develop new perspectives and  ways of learning.

If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
As a creator and designer, art gives me endless career opportunities . It truly has made me multi-talented. I have used my skills in many different fields of work, by essentially using the same foundation. Art is definitely a creative path, however, it teaches you to become organized. In order for you to finish a task, you acquire skills that make you excel in your flow of production. In order to produce, you organize your brain to achieve more in a short amount of time. Hence, multitasking, coordinating, marketing and selling your product become second nature. If you can create something, sell it, and talk about it in a way that attracts a client, you have achieved more than three people combined.

To find out more about Maria and her work, visit her website vertexx.la.com or follow her on Instagram @vertexx.la