We were lucky to catch up with Ahimsa Llamado recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ahimsa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve been creating art since I was a child, but my formal understanding of its technical aspects began in college. While learning how to render a drawing of an apple or a face was foundational, the most valuable lesson art school taught me was how to truly observe and see. This shift in perspective not only deepened my understanding of traditional art but also allowed me to transition into other mediums like graphic design and motion design.

Looking back, I think I could have learned faster if I had been more willing to experiment outside of classwork and not been so afraid to make mistakes. Like a lot of creatives, I struggled with self-doubt and perfectionism, which definitely held me back at times. But I’ve learned to focus more on the process than trying to make everything perfect and to trust my instincts as an artist.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Art has been such a huge part of my upbringing, and I could not imagine myself doing anything else. There were no blank walls in my childhood home because artworks from different local artists were always on rotation. That early exposure inspired me to study Fine Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design and shaped how I see and approach creativity.

Right now, I’m working on both paintings and graphic design projects. With my paintings, I’m really interested in blending traditional techniques with technology to create something fresh and unexpected. I’ve also been thinking about how to scale my work for bigger, more immersive experiences, like at concerts or live events.

My graphic design work is a little different—it’s more about collaborating with clients, understanding their story, and turning that into visuals that feel authentic to them. Even though my painting and design practices have different focuses, they’re both about making a connection and telling a story, whether it’s personal or for someone else.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I loved having access to the school library when I was still studying at SCAD, and was afraid I’d lose that resource once I graduated. But a few years ago I discovered Libby and linking your local library card to it, and it’s been an amazing resource! Libby is basically an app you can download for free that grants you access to your local libraries ebooks. I highly recommend!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I moved to New York in 2021 without knowing anyone! It was scary but necessary. I am very grateful to the city and all the diverse inspiration it offers.

Contact Info:

• Website: ahimsallamado.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/art.himsa