There are people who move through the world trying to fit neatly into one thing, one title, one identity, one version of themselves. And then there are people like Ray (Rayven) Isaak-Bleau — artists who exist in constant transformation.
Based in San Francisco, Rayven is a multi-talented creative whose work and identity refuse to be separated into neat categories. Their artistry, spirituality, queerness, and self-expression all exist together as one living, evolving form.
“As a multi-talented artist, I sometimes get caught in the trap of separating my skills and dividing myself,” Rayven shares. “To be featured in a queer magazine/blog would allow more folks like me to see what I do, and hopefully feel less alone.”
That feeling — wanting people to feel seen, less isolated, more understood — sits at the center of everything they create.
A Queer Journey Rooted in Discovery
For Rayven, self-discovery arrived in a quiet but unforgettable moment.
“Taking the train from Sacramento back to the Bay area during collage, I had been drawing my fursona (who used they/them pronouns) in the same cozy travel outfit I was wearing. Something clicked then, it was like the planets aligned and shined a ray of light through me to a way of being I hadn’t considered for myself before.”
What followed, they explain, was “bumpy, messy, and rather difficult.”
“The coming out that followed was bumpy, messy, and rather difficult; going through the motions of choosing a different name to be called, asking for change in the people around me, etc. I’m glad to be past those times and deeply secure in myself.”
That security now radiates through the way they speak about themselves and their experience.
“I am a animal, and a shapeshifter. Living in the city now, I am excited at the prospect of the new forms I could take here.”
Their understanding of queerness is deeply intertwined with spirituality and nature.
“My non-binary and queer experience is heavily based on my spiritual practice, which revolves closely with the seasons in nature. At this point in my life, I am most in-tune and in balance with that part of myself. There is no shame in what I need, and as my body changes, so do my desires.”
And perhaps most importantly:
“I will be perceived however people want to perceive me, and when they get it wrong, I often joke, ‘I’ve fooled them with my fae tricks!’”
The People Who Shape Us
When asked about a moment or person that shaped who they are today, Rayven answered with remarkable honesty.
“I was in a complicated long-distance friendship/romantic relationship with someone from junior year of high school until my second or third year of collage. 6 years on and off in a co-dependant, incredibly intense dynamic with someone who had DID (dissociative identity disorder) so you could say the word ‘complicated’ was the understatement of the century.”
Despite the intensity of that experience, Rayven speaks about it with reflection and nuance.
“I really loved them with every fiber of myself. They introduced me to the kink and queer communities, inspired me with their art and encouraged mine. They also leaned heavily into darkness and magick, which allowed me to break through social and religious conditioning for myself.”
“It certainly was not the healthiest dynamic and I have since gone no contact with them, but they really helped me come into an entirely new version of myself. I wish them the best.”
Beyond Assumptions
Rayven understands what it feels like to be misunderstood.
“People assume I’m shallow or not very smart because of how friendly and bubbly I am, when in reality, I am incredibly intense.”
They continue:
“Friendships that go deep, one-on-one time with people, shadow work and accountability are all things I value greatly. If I were a dragon, I would hoard hobbies and skills, which I think is an intelligent trait.”
That layered complexity is exactly what makes their perspective so compelling. Their work and presence challenge the idea that softness, warmth, creativity, and depth cannot all exist together.
The Media They Want to See
When asked what they wish existed more in media, Rayven’s answer felt perfectly aligned with the spirit of Orbit Utopia.
“Freaks like me! More specifically, queer and gender non-conforming folks who collect hobbies and skills, do deep shadow work and practice magic. How queer can you get?”
At Orbit Utopia, we believe there is space for every version of queerness — especially the versions that don’t always get centered. The artists, shapeshifters, storytellers, creatives, and people still discovering themselves deserve visibility too.
Rayven’s story is a reminder that identity does not have to remain fixed to be real. Sometimes becoming yourself means allowing evolution to happen openly.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is refuse to shrink your complexity.
Connect With Rayven
Instagram: @theprinceisin
Photo Credits
Chel at the River — shot by Rayven
