Juan Renteria describes his talent as a floral artist as his “superpower.” He’s even known by the alias El Creativo, which sounds like a superhero character pulled from the pages of an imaginative comic book. Based in Los Angeles, Renteria has been making a living with his independent floral design business since 2019. He’s worked with brands like Neiman Marcus, Nike, Ghetto Rodeo, and Oaxacan-based chocolate company Reina Negra, among others, to collaborate on projects that incorporate his unique and artistic style.
In a partnership between Remezcla and Cheetos’ Deja tu Huella program, talented Latines like Renteria are being celebrated through Culture Credits, an editorial series that amplifies established voices of Latine creators across diverse industries like music, fashion, and art.
Renteria is one of those Latine creators who is leaving their mark and inspiring others to do the same. He and his family moved to the U.S. when he was two years old. He said he began to tap into his artistic abilities as a child and continued when he attended a performing arts high school. He went on to study at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in L.A. where he hoped to enhance his artists abilities and network with like-minded people around him. Renteria’s original plan was to study to become a fashion designer.
Renteria landed a job at a local nursery where he got the chance to work with orchid arrangements and succulents. He was then promoted to teaching floral workshops. Renteria then decided to venture out and create his own brand. “I realized that my entire identity was coming back to my Mexican roots,” Renteria, 26, said. “I wanted to create beautiful pieces for people with expression and love.”
Renteria started working at a local coffee shop called Café Santo where he started experimenting with different aesthetics. At Café Santo, he really discovered who he was as an artist. Soon, everything started falling into place. “Big brands started reaching out,” Renteria said. “When Neiman Marcus reached out last year, that was one of my biggest gigs ever. They really loved what I was doing, so they let me do my thing. After that, I thought, ‘I can do anything!’”
Along with his corporate projects, Renteria also does private gigs and weddings. He also has a friend in Oaxaca, Mexico, who has a store and allows him to play with the space in different ways. “It’s such a beautiful place,” he said. “It’s full of amazing energy and creative artistry. Anytime I go there, I get inspired to develop new stuff. It’s always so much fun to work with what the earth gives you in Oaxaca because of the very rich agriculture.”
Renteria said he enjoys working as an independent floral artist who can provide his services to more than one client. At this point in his career, he is excited about building his own brand and attracting business and individuals who respond artistically to what he is creating. “I want to collaborate with people who want me to help them make their vision come to life,” Renteria said. “But right now, I don’t want to work under anyone’s wing. Maybe later, I would consider it, but right now, I am happy working at my own pace.”
As a Latine floral artist, Renteria feels like he has something unique to give to the industry. His floral arrangements might not last forever in a physical sense, but he hopes they will create the kinds of memories that will be cherished for years to come.
“It’s not difficult to say goodbye to my flowers because I can capture their beauty through photographs,” he said. “It’s always about the beauty of what I can create next. It’s all about seeing how you can reinvent yourself. I’m always looking to make something magical.”
Cheetos Deja tu Huella celebrates those leaving their mark. Learn more here.
