Meet Angela Kalish

We were lucky to catch up with Angela Kalish recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

Having grown up in the 21st century, it feels like I’ve only known a world that is said to be falling apart. At least, that’s what everyone else is always saying. I grew up with everyone around me saying that things were so much better twenty years ago, that everything is horrible now, and that society is crumbling. When it’s become normal to have a pessimistic outlook on the world, the ability to remain optimistic isn’t just priceless; it’s almost an act of rebellion.

I have always been a very passionate person. When I love something, I love it hard. I feel as though I developed that trait as a way to keep myself from falling into that pit of pessimism. It’s hard to let that sense of impending doom creep in when you spend your time immersing yourself in the media you love. I, being a kid with unsupervised internet access in the early 2010’s, found myself drawn to fandom spaces online. I would spend hours after school drawing fanart and watching YouTube videos about the shows I loved. Being able to appreciate the beauty of what other people can do is an immensely effective way to help you appreciate the life you live, and it can be a great inspiration for your own creative endeavors.

Now that things continue to grow rocky and uncertain around me, I continue to ground myself in the people and media that I love. I’ve recently found myself revisiting shows and content creators that I first watched almost a decade ago. That nostalgia, comparing where I was then to where I am now, and seeing how those people I used to look up to have also grown has given me this newfound pride in myself and helps me remain optimistic in spite of the negativity being normalized.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a graphic designer and mixed media artist currently one semester away from graduating college! I’m a very all-around kind of artist, having also helped with projects like mural painting and gallery installation. I’ve also begun applying to and tabling at conventions!

On my socials, I post a lot of illustration work that I can’t describe as anything other than “silly.” I most frequently draw rats and aliens, which are a direct result of the cartoons I watched when I was younger. I like to find joy in the mundane, drawing little rodents doing normal, everyday tasks. I also find myself posting quite a bit of fanart, because I find so much inspiration in the shows and creators that I watch.

One of my rat posts went super viral on TikTok last year, and although I was a one-hit-wonder, the fact that my art resonated with so many people meant so much to me and gave me that confirmation that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Remaining true to yourself and having a curious mind are two of the most important traits you can have. There is always pressure to do what others want, but you have to make sure you don’t lose yourself in the process, or else you’re at risk of falling into that pit of negativity.

In addition, you should never stop learning! Your grade school teachers weren’t kidding about knowledge being power. If you keep your mind active and keep learning new things and developing new skills, you will genuinely lead a more satisfying life. I wouldn’t have made some of my favorite projects if I never took the time to learn the art mediums! Hobbies, books, even just watching a new TV show; keep things fresh!

Ultimately though, my biggest piece of advice, as simple as it sounds, is to just be kind. Empathy, being able to put yourself in others’ shoes, is the most priceless skill anyone can have, both as an artist and as a general member of society. You truly never know what someone is going through, and showing that you understand can make all of the difference and leave a lasting impact on the world around you.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The best thing my parents did for me was let me figure things out on my own. They never made themselves unavailable- quite the opposite, actually! They were very hands-off, but were still always there to help me if I needed it. If I fell, they would be there to comfort me if I needed it, but they treated me like an adult when I started to get older and let me develop the problem-solving skills I needed to become a successful and hard-working person. They always encouraged me to follow my dreams and express how proud they are of who I’ve become, and I hold that very close as I continue to tackle new challenges.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-kalish-17aba2320/
• Other: I have all of my socials linked on my carrd, angelakalish.carrd.co

Image Credits

Portrait by Rylee Fulmer