We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alania Hinckson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alania below.
Alania , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by being open to try new methods of making and being okay with not being “good” at it. As an illustrator, my primary medium of creation is digital but over the past few years I’ve started experimenting with ceramics, fiber, and collage. I think that a great way to learn more about yourself and your practice is to do something completely different from what you normally do. For example, I started using clay and making ceramic work just this year; I don’t have much experience working in a 3D medium, but it was an amazing experience to get my hands dirty and see my illustrations that have only been on paper become something I can hold and hug.
I think that another crucial part to keeping my creativity alive is to take breaks. I used to feel so much pressure to produce work for social media, to build my portfolio, and honestly, just to feel better about myself as an artist. I would compare myself to others, wondering why they could spend hours each day making work and I couldn’t. But forcing that “creativity” (or rather, feeding the need to feel “productive”…) caused more harm to me. I make my best work when I’m well rested, get to hang out with my friends, take walks in nature, eat a yummy meal, watch my favorite tv shows, etc. Everything that has nothing to do with making art is what keeps my creativity alive because it makes me a happier person! And that joy fuels my practice.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an illustrator from Jackson Heights, Queens (the most culturally diverse part of NYC!). I always had a love for drawing, especially as a kid. My parents would put my little watercolor paintings in frames on the wall, and they have been my biggest supporters when it comes to my career in the arts. I graduated from MICA this May, and since then have been working on my children’s book, “Oh, Pearl” and have exhibited some of the collage work from the book in Baltimore’s Artscape!
“Oh, Pearl” was my senior thesis at MICA, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to refine the story and my lovely main character, Marvin the merchild. Writing is something that is a bit newer for me, although I’ve always enjoyed it. I hope to write and illustrate more books in the future. The role of a children’s book author/illustrator is incredibly important to the world: books connect us, teach us about the world, and foster empathy. I am excited to be part of a community of creatives who want to create thoughtful, inclusive and inspiring media for kids; they are so important to the future of this planet!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. [Don’t take critique (too) personally.] This is a big one for me. Sometimes people aren’t going to like what you do, and that’s okay! You can’t please everyone, anyway. Critique is incredibly important for growth, and I get that as artists we are very connected to our work, but at the end of the day a critique is just someone’s opinion. Be open to feedback, but never let that discourage you, or fundamentally change who you are/your process as an artist. Be true to yourself, but know that sometimes…there are things you need to work on. And if you get the same feedback from multiple people, it may be good to think about why you’re getting it, and maybe make changes if you think it’s worth it. I know that since graduating from art school, crit is what I miss most. It’s a privilege to get feedback on your work from other artists, and I miss it a lot!
2. [Curiosity.] Do something that scares you! Be okay with being “bad” at things! Ask other artists about their processes when you get the chance! Challenge yourself to think of 5 different ways to do the same thing! Work backwards, switch up your process, change your tools, just do something new!
3. Reach out to other artists who you admire. I think that most artists are pretty nice, and want to help each other out. Don’t ever discourage yourself from emailing that one illustrator or designer who you think is super cool, they might respond with some valuable advice. You may even make a friend! I’ve made some connections with people I admire a lot just by pushing through my anxiety and messaging them. If they don’t respond, that’s okay, too. Try again later!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I really want to illustrate more children’s books…so if there are any authors out there who want to work with me, let’s make it happen! There’s something magical about illustrating for a story that isn’t your own. Sometimes what the author envisions is completely different from the illustrator, which I think makes for a more compelling book. I want the mystery and newness of illustrating for someone else’s story, now that I am already working on my own. You can find me at alaniacaridad.com or @mulberriey on Instagram if you’d like to collaborate!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alaniacaridad.cargo.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mulberriey/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaniahinckson/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
