We recently connected with Alea Hurst and have shared our conversation below.

Alea, appreciate you joining us today. 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?

My journey as an artist began early. Like many creatives, I was always drawing and painting from a young age and just never stopped. I really began to focus in on studio art in high school when I took my first real art class freshman year. I was lucky to have an amazing teacher who really taught me the fundamentals when it comes to drawing and painting and I was able to build on that. I really pushed myself to improve my skills and learn new techniques outside of class and assignments and that is where I think the most growth came from. Experimenting with new materials and techniques without the fear of failure or anyone judging the outcome is really one of the best ways to learn your craft. Of course, I then went on to study art in college and received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in fine art.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I received and can give is to never underestimate the value of the basics. Those basic skills may seem redundant and boring over time but they really do influence every aspect of your craft. They are the building blocks that create a strong artist. Even if you disregard every rule or guideline of art, you have to know what they are to purposely break them. Don’t rely on shortcuts. Experiment as much as possible and don’t be afraid to fail. I think the biggest misconception about artists is that every piece just comes out perfectly and without any effort. That’s the opposite of the truth. We often fight with our creations. Many turn out horribly and never see the light of day. But it’s these experiences that inform us what to do in future pieces and help us grow and perfect our skills in the long run.

One of my biggest obstacles learning has been the fear of making a piece that is just awful and that everyone will judge me for it. It is much easier to try something new when you know there are no expectations and that that piece isn’t meant for a show. It really takes the pressure off. Another obstacle is time. It seems like the more successful you get the busier you get. That definitely leaves a lot less time for play and experimentation.

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.

I am a creator and always have been ever since I can remember. I am always transforming materials or a space even outside of my artistic career. It is an essential part of me.

As an artist, I create detailed and often surrealistic paintings, drawings, and screen prints filled with symbolism. I am a very introverted person, so my art is how I communicate my thoughts and feelings to the world. I am brought to life when I get to share my art because to me, I am bringing beauty into the world. There is no greater feeling than when someone shares with me how my art affected them or brought them so much joy. As I have gotten into creating murals the last few years, I have been able to bring joy to the public on a larger scale. That is something I really hope to continue and delve into further.

I think what really sets me apart is how much work I put into my pieces. I spend a lot of time thinking about the ideas I want to bring to life and put as much detail into my pieces as possible. When a client approaches me for a commission or mural, I really strive to bring their vision to life even if they are not sure what they want. That’s part of being an artist, you know, being able to decipher the ideas someone brings you into the painting of their dreams. And when it all comes together at the end, it’s magical.

I have had past clients tell me that what they love about me is that they can really tell how much I actually care. And that makes me so happy, but then I can’t even comprehend not caring about my customers or their needs. I guess there are probably people out there that don’t care. I’m definitely not one of them.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I really think that people don’t take the arts seriously enough. They aren’t necessarily seen as an essential part of society when it comes down to it. But think about, really think about it. What would the world be like with no art on the walls, no murals or sculptures in our cities or towns, no music…It would be very boring and bland. We all enjoy art without even thinking about it. It’s just one of those things that you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone.

So, we have to make sure as a society to promote the arts and secure funding for them. Let artists know that the work they do is appreciated. We really need to change the way we think about supporting artists. One of the worst things I’ve seen as an artist is how often we are asked to work for free. How many other careers are asked so often to give their time and talent for little to nothing in return? Would you ask someone to clean your business for free? Or rebuild your house for exposure? It probably wouldn’t happen. As an artist, I see so many people asking for us to work for exposure, but that doesn’t pay our bills. Or we have clients who don’t value the work that is put into bringing their vision to life and refuse to pay a livable wage to artists. The mindset has to change, and we have to educate each other on how much behind the scenes work goes into creating art for everyone to enjoy.

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

I know this is easier said than done, but always keep going and pushing through. As an artist, creative, or business owner you are going to hear a lot of “Nos” and it is going to hurt. Eventually, you will get your “yes”, you just have to be persistent and not let rejection stop you. One instance that stands out in my experience is rejection from galleries. I applied to one gallery in particular for a juried show and was rejected. The next year I applied again and was rejected. I’m not going to lie I was a little bitter because it hurt. I thought, “Why don’t they like my work?” But I let it go and moved on. I kept creating art and applying to other galleries. I put my work out there as much as possible and didn’t let rejection slow me down. I didn’t apply to their shows for a couple years, and then out of nowhere they reached out to me for a major show. You never know when your hard work will finally pay off.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aleahurst.com
• Instagram: @aleahurstart