We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caroline Allen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Caroline, 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?
Growing up as an older sister, it was essential for me to take care of my little brothers. They were overwhelming and stubborn, but they’ve now grown to be my favorite little friends. These experiences taught me not only how to manage many things at once but also how to find joy in the process. It’s something I carry with me into my art. I love to draw very wholesome scenes and characters connecting with each other. Not to mention, my little brothers are also in the process of learning how to draw as well! I am fortunate to have a family and partner who have always pushed me to do what makes me happy. Their support fuels my passion and drives me to stay determined in achieving my career goals.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am currently pursuing my degree in illustration and concept art at the Savannah College of Art & Design to help me grow connections and thrive in my career! My personal branding is defined by my social media handle, Kaloncaro—a name that combines the Greek word “beautiful” with my nickname, Caro, which I feel reflects my passion for creating illustrations and beautiful scenes that will put a smile on anyone’s face. I love to illustrate stories and build them brick by brick through expressive, cartoony characters, their different props, and environments. There’s just something so rewarding about finishing a large-scale character project that puts a smile on my face. Even more so when I see the reactions of people who view it—it’s a reminder of why I love what I do!
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?
I am still on my journey to become the best that I can be and will always be on that journey, but what keeps me moving forward is the joy of self-fulfillment, the excitement of watching my skills grow with each passing project, and the comfort I find in creating art. I’ve been drawing since I was a child, inspired by my mom, dad, and especially my grandpa, who was an artist of all kinds himself. To all the budding artists out there, my biggest advice is to keep going—just keep that pencil moving! Don’t worry about erasing; what matters most is having confidence in your lines. Mistakes aren’t something to fear; they’re how we learn and grow. Keep moving forward!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Taking care of yourself when feeling overwhelmed is so very important, especially when you’re driven by big goals, where in my case, I set these for myself, haha! I often push myself to achieve the best results in my work, and while, yes, it’s rewarding to see a high-quality piece come to life, I’ve learned that taking little breaks along the way makes a big difference. Whether it’s going for a small walk, grabbing coffee, or doodling something aside from work just for fun, those moments of rest can help you feel refreshed and ready to take on anything! Sometimes, stepping away after hours of drawing is the best medicine for that specific work. I love to warm up with some gesture drawings in the morning before I continue on big projects—everyone is different! For me, it’s not the amount of hours you put into an artwork; it’s the heart and intent behind it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kaloncaro.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaloncaro/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-allen-44532b276/
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