Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Young.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Raised in a very artistic home, I was surrounded by constant creativity! When I was 10 years old, my parents started an art school for kids in my childhood home, so I had the chance to attend classes every night – a creative girl’s dream come true! My brother and I often competed against each other in art competitions, allowing us to brainstorm together and cheer each other on! I attended the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in beautiful Connecticut and received my BFA in Painting in 2009. Since then, I have enjoyed illustrating children’s books, painting portraits, and experimenting with new forms of art whenever I have the chance. My husband Blake and I have moved several times, but are now living in lovely Central Texas, where the rolling hills and white-tailed deer look like living paintings every day! I strive to spread joy and bring glory to God, the Master Artist, through each piece I create!
Please tell us about your art.
I love creating a plethora of different types of art, but I especially enjoy illustrating children’s books. Working with the authors has been a joy, and wonderful friendships have even blossomed from some of those working relationships. I’m always excited to meet the characters in each story and bring them to life in vivid color on the page! Creating their environments and personalities has become one of my favorite parts of the process. Having the privilege to be a part of a book that sends a message of inspiration and joy to the world makes it all so worth it! I also have a heart for doing custom pieces, such as caricatures, portraits and hand lettered signs, because I have the chance to bring a smile to the recipients.
Those pieces are usually very personal to the families who ask me to paint them, and I love getting a small glimpse into what makes them who they are. No matter what form of art I’m working on, I just thank the Lord for gifting me with the joy of art! I truly desire to share that joy with the world, and, in turn, point people to Jesus, because He is the Creator and Master Artist! I can’t imagine my life without the wonder of turning a blank canvas or paper into something that can bring encouragement and hope. For that, I am truly grateful.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I have learned so many beneficial lessons through trial and error over the years. I encourage young artists to enter as many art competitions as possible – it provides the lessons of healthy competition and being able to win or lose gracefully. These are qualities that will come in very handy in many areas of life. Intensive week-long painting workshops were also extremely helpful and allowed me to meet some wonderful, encouraging professional artists. If these workshops are available to you, I would advise taking advantage of those opportunities, because your art skills will improve by leaps and bounds when you are painting all day every day for an entire week.
Make sure you start with the basics and build a solid foundation of drawing first – after working with great focus on mastering the form of an apple or a vase, begin utilizing that knowledge by practicing anatomical drawing as often as possible. Draw those hands and feet over and over, and keep a regular sketchbook to jot down ideas, draw what you see from life, and study Master drawings and paintings by attempting to “copy” their strokes. Also, surrounding yourself with professional artists who have been in the game a lot longer than you have is always a good idea. They will help you overcome your insecurities and really put yourself out there to get noticed. They have valuable information tucked away from years of experience, plus their friendships are invaluable! Have creative conversations and brainstorming sessions whenever you have the chance – this will allow your brain to develop in ways you never thought possible! Never, ever quit – keep going no matter what!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My website shows a variety of pieces that I have created, including a few murals! You can find me at: www.aliciayoungart.com
I also post daily inspirational art on my Instagram page at:
www.instagram.com/aliciayoungart
Prints of my work can be purchased through my Art Pal page:
www.artpal.com/aliciayoungart
I also have an Etsy shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/aliciayoungart
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aliciayoungart.com
- Phone: 817-832-8957
- Email: art@aliciayoungart.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/aliciayoungart
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/aliciayoungart
- Twitter: twitter.com/aliciayoungart
Image Credit:
Blake Young, Alicia Young
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