Today, we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Alley.
Alyssa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like many other artists, I began focusing on my creative skills when I was young. I started my first sketchbook in middle school, went through at least ten through high school, and made my final transition into digital art as I was graduating.
While at a University that specialized in digital media, I was able to spread my wings as a creator and become a jack of all trades: animation in both 2D and 3D, motion graphics, videography, and everything in between! I always enjoyed both digital and live-action mediums, but people kept telling me I had to choose ONE. In college, I decided to continue the path as a 2D animator and concept artist… But after I graduated, I soon learned that I didn’t have to pick a singular medium to love and contribute towards.
First, I began learning more about 3D sculpting, and then I landed a job as a social media marketer and learned more about photography. I brought photography into my love of cosplaying and revisited the joys of creating my own costumes. From there, I danced my way back into character design while also doing more videography through my marketing duties. That led to more editing and motion graphics work, things I always enjoyed but didn’t get to practice as much during university.
As I experienced the freedom of my creative drive in the real world, I opened myself up to more freelancing. Art, animation, photography, and motion graphics all became gigs or charity work through which I could gain knowledge and experience. I have been extremely fortunate in my networking to obtain these small jobs, as I used to be shy and terribly anxious. But as I grew more interested in sharing my skills and helping others through my work, networking became easier and easier!
Now, I am beginning my journey further into the industry and creative fields with the enthusiasm for learning even more. I hope to spread my creations in a positive and inspiring manner. The path I chose isn’t a solo one like everyone had said it must be, but rather a branching tree that creates a much bigger picture and encapsulates who I am as a whole.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always difficulties in life that will make you question your decisions. It’s easy to find yourself in a comfortable hole and convince yourself that you don’t need to continue forward. I’ve been stuck a couple of times, sitting in positions that felt “safe” but didn’t allow me to grow or improve. It’s true that sometimes, you need to take a leap of faith.
Sometimes, you fall–but what’s important is that you get back up and keep trying. The creative industry is brutal and competitive. You can send a hundred hopeful applications and hand your card out to tons of people, but you get no reply. It can make you feel down and make you want to settle for something less, but that’s the wrong way to go about it. I have experienced the difficulty of worming into an artistic position, and there are three important things I learned.
1. Sometimes, you find significant experience in the places least expected.
2. Slow down. You have plenty of time to reach your ultimate career goals. As someone who has always been hard on herself and rushed into things, I can confidently tell you that skipping the steps of a ladder will often cause you to fall and have to start all over again. Take things one step at a time, and if you slip, readjust yourself and try again.
3. Don’t give up. Being repeatedly turned down from positions you want can be painful, but the right one WILL come along. Have patience, don’t stop trying, and keep your head up.
Thanks. What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve always been known as a person who does a bit of everything. One of the many reasons my brand character is a harlequin/jester is that I am a “Jack of all trades, a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” If I am given a project—regardless of guidelines, medium, or overall vision—I will find a way to get it done creatively.
The best part about art is there is no “correct” way to do things to get to an end product. Everyone’s personal pipeline is a little different, and there are plenty of clever ways to get the same thing done. A list of things I consider myself at a professional level includes 2D animation, visual development, creative direction, motion graphics, photography, video editing, and sound design. Alongside this list are a myriad of other things I can do confidently, and I enjoy every single one of them.
I don’t believe in limitations. If you want to do something, create something, or have a tree of skills you can swing between, then DO it. Just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alyssaalley.carrd.co/
- Instagram: instagram.com/theshadowsally
- Other: instagram.com/theshadowscosplay
Image Credits
Lori Figueroa Photography, Big Sister Cosplay, Madonia Photography, and Sonia Blade
