Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alyki Senoj. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alyki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
Hitting creative burnouts. They would come in waves, as I’d either be finishing up a project or stepping into another one. After I transferred from Savannah State to move to Atlanta and finish my studies at Georgia State, I was in a really dark space creatively. Around this time, Covid just hit and I didn’t get a full experience at being a student on Georgia State’s campus. I didn’t get to meet other creatives and collaborate. I initially felt distant between my accomplishments and goals. This lasted about 2 years, my longest creative burnout ever and I felt so washed.
One way, I did overcome the issue, was buy a new sewing machine. The one I had previously worked on was a small sewing machine by Singer. It only had 32 stitch applications, a simple sewing selection, a literal beginners’ machine. When I invested into a new one, I got motivation to make different things, as I was limited before. I started to step outside the box and create things that stood out.
Keeping that inspiration, I just continued to make things from deconstructing and pivoting. Staying within spaces that kept me creatively secured. That’s how I defeat a lot of my unexpected problems, stating that this isn’t something happening to me, but for me. Knowing some road blocks are just moments to sit with myself and my thoughts, some solutions come to me without looking for them. I am then able to go around the road block or even, form my own path.
Alyki, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Alyki Senoj (Ah-Lee-Ky Sin-Awj) is my real name backwards, I got inspiration to start going by Alyki Senoj because I became a victim of a cyber crime in September of 2023 and was very on edge about how to handle the situation. This person got photos I never posted and other personal data to use against me, I was a bit shocked and a little scared, I didn’t feel safe posting my work or even, myself anymore.
I am usually a very reserved person, super selective on who I collaborate with and things I choose to consume. I’ve always been involved in the industry, but started off in the background. Mainly behind the lens, helping others achieve certain looks and goals. I know my way around a camera, I have a great eye for capturing detailed moments of people’s lives, I’m good at seeing things other people aren’t and this became a super power of mine. I started taking bigger bets on myself in the beginning of 2024 alone.
I started to design from scratch, creating my own looks and not deconstructing a piece that was already made, it started to birth more confidence in my creative endeavors. I started to feel more secure in myself and in my work, to where I wasn’t afraid to post my work anymore. It’s still a process, but not a fleeting one, where I felt like I could produce something profound one day and struggle with finding encouragement the next.
I’m proud of how far I’ve came. I’m 25, about to be 26 in November, and honestly, I’m just now getting started. I’m just now executing ideas from 2 years ago because I’m no longer afraid to put myself forward or bet on myself. I know I’m an important influence on my peers and reminding myself of that, keeps me in a place of continuing. With the goals I plan on accomplishing, I pray I meet my village, and we continue together.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Executing your ideas! The most genuine reward a creative/artist can ever receive. When your hard-work, time and patience is put into a piece of work, and you can sit back and genuinely, be proud of it? Smile and start telling people about it? That’s when you’ve got to a point of being appreciative. I am so grateful that I can create, finish a piece of work and move on to the next. When you don’t need the next person’s validation of what you’re making, executing becomes easier. Then you’re doing it for you and the person who looks up to you, not the critics.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
That self-doubt is not the enemy we think it is. I started to use my self-doubt as a catalyst to empower my own decision-making. I continue to share my work, even if it may get criticized, because being a creative is who I am. I’m blessed to be so privilege to create, because no one is making me do it. So, when I start to get that doubting thought, I go deeper into it and expose my own insecurity in my work. I don’t necessarily sabotage it, I invite it. What it does, is help me get closer to Source/God, because that force is influencing me, and surrendering to it, allows me to focus on my intent behind my work, and then the actual work, happens.
I designed a hat recently with close to 200 pearls (if not, over). I was so worried about if people would like it, or get the reason of why I called it the name I called it, I was questioning wether it even mattered if I designed it for others to buy. I was doubting my own work, but then realized I was doubting myself. I was doubting if I was worthy of producing it to my own liking and it made me feel funny, not in a bad way but in a curious way. I started to ask myself questions pertaining to the doubt. When I got answers, I continued to work on the hat and even posted it, to show people, I still am who I say I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alykisenoj.com
- Instagram: @SenojAlyki
Image Credits
Marcia Webb
Alyki Senoj
Those photographed for CLT Durag Fest 24′