We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alycia Earhart. Check out our conversation below.
Alycia, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Who are you learning from right now?
Right now I am learning from my students and daughter. I am a preschool art teacher and mom to a 4 1/2 year old, and I am always impressed by how creative my kids can be! Their creative process isn’t restricted by conventional rules and freely use various media in ways I never would have thought about. This has allowed me to be a little more free and unconventional in my own creative practices.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Alycia Earhart and I am a painter, illustrator, jewelry artist, and children’s book author from Lawrence, Kansas. My studio name is A Nice Day Studio because my hope is to put positivity and joy into the world with my creations. I began my creative journey as a metalsmith, but after years of working with hard, rigid materials I began to paint. The looseness and use of color with paint was so freeing and really cracked open a new, creative world for me. This lead to illustration where I was able to collaborate with several brands and ultimately illustrated and publish my first children’s book, Fruitful Affirmations.
My current work explores the relationships between colors and forms, and the abstraction and reduction of the spaces around me. To create bold fields of color I use a hard edge technique paired with a looser method to juxtapose structured forms and organic lines. In a world of complexities and clutter where speed is celebrated, this process has allowed me to slow down and simplify my environment.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
My experience has been the opposite. I grew up being told who I had to be before I was able to decide for myself. I was raised under the idea that graduating college in 4 years guaranteed a good career, a large, newly built house was the dream, and art can only be a hobby. I struggled for years trying to fit into these ideals with no success, often feeling like a failure. Slowly I began to realize “the dream” was not MY dream. I was able to build a happy life working in the service industry after graduating with a master’s degree, a warm and safe home was the dream, and a career is not defined by financial success, rather, as a journey of learning. With that definition, my career in art was thriving!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Earlier this year I almost gave up painting. After months of creative block, the cost of supplies, and time required was a huge barrier for me. I listed all of my empty canvases for sale for just a few bucks to help with some unexpected expenses my family and I were facing. Unfortunately, and fortunately, I didn’t sell any. After a few tries I decided to just keep the canvases for a rainy day. Just a month later that rainy day came and I found myself with a little time to dabble in painting again. From that moment creativity and inspiration started exploding out of my studio and I could hardly keep up with my ideas! Since then it feels like I have tapped into a new source of creativity that I am so excited to keep exploring.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to the idea that art is for everyone and have, and will continue, to base my ethos and approach on this foundation. Art collecting should not be for the financial elite, tax write offs, or to show status but should be collected by those that connect and appreciate the piece. Art creating should not only be accessible by those with unlimited financial resources, time, or education but by those with a creative vision.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
My biggest hope is that I leave a positive impact and people continue to feel the joy and kindness I try and put out into the world everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anicedaystudio.com
- Instagram: aniceday.studio
