We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alex Lynn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alex below.
Alex, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I’ve gained a lot of resilience through tapping into the people that inspire me. My parents, family, and friends. Personal mentors and heroes of mine. One of my great friends and mentors, Nick Bronsema preached and beat the mantra of “Attitude and Effort” into me. I wouldn’t be the artist I am today without it and I gotta take the time to thank him here for it.
Some of my favorite creative people and athletes for sure. Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Michael Jordan, Jackie Robinson, Kobe Bryant. I could go on for days, but the coolest thing about all of those people, even with their different life’s and careers are that they were all people that were told at some point that they could not achieve a goal or a dream. Were constantly doubted and misunderstood. They would take it personally and work 5 times harder than anyone else to make that achievement happen at all costs, and set a standard/ build onto their legacies in the processes. They embraced the struggle and dared to be different.
I try to do the same with my artistic work. The little things are the big things to me while creating. Being aware that there is no perfect process for creativity. Part of the fun rolling with the punches and figuring it out in the moment while becoming a little bit better every during single opportunity.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an artist based in Muskegon, MI. I primarily focus on freelance artwork with my own business but tackle many different projects and opportunities with art education and anything that will allow me to spread some joy and creativity to those who need it. I would like to think my style is just “fun”. Regardless of what the subject is. I just enjoy the smiles and warm feelings my art can bring to someone!
I try to do everything and anything. Portraits, Illustration ,Caricatures at weddings and many festivals around the state. Tattoo concepts and graphic design. I recently did some mural work and recently did some artwork for comedian Joe Gatto from the hit show “Impractical Jokers” for his podcast.
Over the last 5 years, I’ve really enjoyed getting into art education and volunteering my time at schools drawing and doing creative talks, along with teaching some classes at a nonprofit organization.
For the longest time, I had no interest in teaching as I struggled with explaining the technical aspects of art. I’ve always been a “don’t think, just do” creative. I started to realize that I had the unique opportunity to be the art teacher that I never had in those really foundational elementary school years. To be someone thats there for the kid who already is in love with art and needs the technical help, and boost the creativity and confidence of someone who is just beginning.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Dedication is a huge one. I’m personally inspired the artists that physically cannot help themselves from creating something in their day. It’s what they eat, sleep, and breathe. Think about all day or what they look forward to doing after a long day. Draw for yourself, never make what you think people will like or get in a cycle of losing your individually . Whatever makes you feel like there’s lightning coming out of your pencil, pen, stylus, or brush is what you should be doing!
I’ve been fortunate to have a long line of people in my live that have provided many key bits of information in my life. I would say one of the most important qualities of becoming a better artist is to always be in student mode.
Reach out to those who inspire you whether famous or not famous and humble yourself, as everyone’s creative process is valid. Learn the things that are gonna take a long time. I gained two high profile artistic mentors from Warner Brothers Animation and Disney Animation at the age of 16-19 solely on the fact that I was willing to have my drawings corrected, drawn over, by those who I admired. Also exposing myself and how much I thought I knew about drawing, but learned immediately from them that I was just getting started haha. It’s on you to level up and get the skills you want artistically. Create the things you’re interested in, but also be able to tackle different mediums and styles.. I’m far from where I want to be artistically but part of the fun is chasing that dream and hopefully grabbing the baton from those who inspire me.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
The coolest thing about what I do is the relationships and connections I can build through my art. It’s one of my biggest “Why’s” for why I continue to create. I’m always looking for new artists or creatives to interact and collab with. My art account on Instagram (@a.lynn909) and LinkedIn!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alexlynn374.wixsite.com/mysite
- Instagram: @a.lynn909
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-lynn-929a29a7?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
