Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alan Ladd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

One thing my parents did right was nurturing my creativity from an early age. I can remember my mother bringing home a cheap set of watercolor paints when I was little; she had noticed how fascinated I was by color and shape. Instead of giving me coloring books, she encouraged me to paint what I saw in my head or from our garden, where she’d point out flowers and talk about their shapes and colors. It made me feel like my ideas had value, and that stayed with me as I grew older. This sense of freedom and encouragement to explore without limits has been incredibly impactful. It’s why I feel a natural sense of confidence and authenticity in my art and career choices, especially now as I sell my paintings.

Another thing they did right was emphasizing the importance of resilience. My father is an incredibly wise man, and I knew he believed that if I failed, it wasn’t an endpoint but a learning experience. I can recall a time in school when I didn’t get chosen to illustrate the yearbook cover art. He simply told me, “Good artists aren’t defined by one opportunity.” This perspective really fortified me through some rough spots in my career, like when I faced setbacks or, more recently, during a work layoff from my day-job. That core belief in resilience allowed me to pivot, keeping my sights on bigger, long-term goals and exploring new avenues, and investing more money, time, and self into my creative work as an artist.

These lessons from my parents – the freedom to explore and the importance of resilience – have become pillars for me. They have given me both the courage to take creative risks and the strength to adapt, even when things don’t go according to plan.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Of course! Here’s a bit about my journey in the world of art and what inspires me.

My love for art started early, thanks to my mom encouraging me to explore without limits. She was the first to hand me a set of watercolor paints and let me have free rein, rather than keeping me within the lines of a coloring book. That early encouragement to create from my imagination and surroundings gave me a natural sense of confidence and freedom. My journey with art has been deeply personal; it was always there as a form of expression, even when life got busy with other commitments. Only recently did I start sharing my work with others, and I’m grateful for how warmly it’s been received.

My art mainly revolves around watercolors, focusing on florals, fruits, and all things nature. I love capturing the vibrancy and softness of nature, playing with color and light to evoke different moods. Some pieces lean toward bright, almost tropical colors, while others are softer and more subdued. I think of each painting as a little escape – a place for the viewer to find calm or delight.

I believe that what sets my work apart is the intentionality I bring to each piece. I try to infuse every painting with an emotion or story, giving viewers a piece that feels personal and inviting. My background, rooted in both creating and teaching, has taught me the importance of connection. When people view my art, I want them to feel a sense of warmth and resonance, like they’re seeing something that feels uniquely familiar.

A defining moment for me as an artist was my first sale this year. After being selected by my long-time friend and artist consultant, Sharon Moskowitz to participate in a local art event she organized, her Art Pop-up & Shop in Brookhaven, I had the incredible experience of seeing my work displayed and appreciated in a public space. That day, I made my first sale, marking the beginning of my journey as a professional artist. Since then, I’ve sold nearly a dozen pieces, which has helped me feel even more proud and confident about my art.

For those discovering my art, I hope they know how deeply it’s a part of me. My work is about bringing joy, calm, and a bit of beauty into others’ lives. Whether it’s a floral that catches the light just right or a piece that evokes a memory, my goal is for people to feel a connection to each of my paintings. Each is created with a desire to capture a moment, an emotion, or a feeling of tranquility that I hope resonates with everyone who sees them.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the way art becomes a bridge between my inner world and the world around me. When I create, I’m putting something deeply personal out into the open – a piece of myself, really. Seeing others connect with it in their own way feels like a shared experience, even if we’ve never met. Whether it’s a floral that brings someone a sense of calm or a piece that reminds them of a place or moment, it’s incredibly fulfilling to know my work has touched them in some way.

Another rewarding part is the pure joy of the creative process. When I’m painting, there’s a kind of freedom that’s hard to find anywhere else – an unspoken flow that lets me fully express what I’m feeling without words. It’s a space where I can escape, reflect, and just be in the moment. And when others find something meaningful in the end result, it’s like a beautiful full circle of creation and connection.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand about a creative journey is just how much of it is about embracing uncertainty. Being an artist means constantly facing doubt – not just about whether your work will resonate with others but also about whether it even meets your own evolving expectations. Art isn’t a straightforward path; there’s no clear metric for “success” like there might be in other fields. Instead, it’s a series of personal milestones that are deeply felt but hard to define.

For example, people might see a finished painting and think it came together easily, but what they don’t see are the hours spent wrestling with ideas, questioning if it’s any good, or even wondering if it’s worth sharing at all. Creativity demands vulnerability, which means putting pieces of yourself into the world without any guarantees of acceptance or understanding. It’s not just about making something visually appealing but about channeling thoughts and feelings in ways that might connect with others. And that’s an emotional investment that can be both rewarding and, at times, a bit daunting.

Another thing that might be surprising is that the work is never truly “done.” As an artist, there’s always a sense of growth and change. A piece I finished last year might feel different to me now, and that’s part of the creative process – constantly evolving, learning, and redefining what my art is about. Non-creatives might find it hard to grasp the ambiguity and open-endedness of the journey, but it’s exactly what makes art so meaningful and, ultimately, worth pursuing. It’s not about reaching a final destination; it’s about navigating the process, learning, and connecting along the way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/theartladd
• Other: [email protected]