We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alejandro Morán . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alejandro below.

Alejandro , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

My path to digital art began as most artist journeys begin, notebook paper and an idea. I had an idea one day in middle school but I was frustrated that I couldn’t draw it. So I began looking at tutorials on how to draw anything, from eyes to planes. I had never learned to draw or paint really until this weekend. I spent entire days drawing even if I didn’t like it, my room was filled with paper. It would be years before I found the style and type of art I like to create. I think learning the technical skills has to take time and rushing it might hinder getting to know yourself as an artist. Because ultimately, learning any skill means knowing how you work as a person, this isn’t any different. I remember looking at all different artists on Instagram or YouTube and taking hints from their techniques or methods. By doing that I was able to try a little piece of their creative world. Some people learn things quicker than others but this doesn’t make them better artists or creatives. I look at learning as part of the creation process for all your future work. The drive and vision thats inside, what moves you to create is what really matters. The hard part is bringing this out, training your hands and eyes to connect your mind and our world.

Alejandro , 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?

So I am still trying to get into the industry more and more. I have only mainly made stickers which I’ve sold to friends and followers on social media. My work so far is tied to my personal life in the sense that many times it isn’t shared. I do not have that much social media presence for my art. I am hoping to change that soon. Looking at all the wonderful artist in my life inspires me and shows me ways that I can interact and connect. I want to always stick to why I do art, to tell stories and leave an impact. I guess if I had to describe my ‘brand’ it would be genuineness. I make art that I know sometimes most people won’t understand but I will do it because I want to see it. Which I guess when it comes to selling things might hinder me. But ultimately, while I would love to spread my art, I never want that to detract from my center. I always want my art to be for me, to help me process my life and give me comfort and happiness.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

For non-creatives, those who regularly do not participate in any artistic medium, I think a perspective outside of creativity would create a clash for me. Ever since I have been a child I have had a creative mind, it has changed but stayed with me. This creative lens has constructed how I see my world. Therefore the drive to be able to place the image in your head to the physical world I think is hard to explain to those who don’t have that drive. That internal urge. When people mention how they could never be artists due to something as skill I always say that is not true. Many think I am just being polite but I know that I am not. I did not start my art journey as a talented artist. I struggled to draw basic lines and spent hours doing just outlines of a simple figure. The paper would tear due to how many times I’d erase my mistakes. I still make so many mistakes, but I keep doing art. I think the act of persistence is hard for non-artists to understand. I know many people look at paintings or art and think that the person who made that was inherently good, and many are born with such talents. Yet, what most don’t see is how much time and effort is spent learning skills. Art teaches you patience. Your reward is achieving the goals or work you had in your head. Yet, this doesn’t come from a single night or week. Many times it takes years and that might be too long for some. But if you keep going, you’ll be surprised at your own abilities. You get to learn more about yourself, not to get too corny or anything but its true. The best part is, even if you get down in life, once you learn it no one can ever take it away from you.

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

Society, should remember that artists are people. Our art is the foundation of society. We have created the flags you salute, the cartoons you watch, the paintings you keep, the hearts in lovers notes, and the family portrait your younger sibling makes of your family. They are all important, and all created by minds and souls like your own. Therefore artists should be held monetarily to standards of other professions because it is a profession. I think that the commodification of art has hurt the art community so much. Art is an extension of our personhood for many. We sell pieces of ourselves. It is hard to communicate how much the conversation of ‘well how much is your art worth?’ Because then comes the question to me of what am I selling? And to who? There was work and time spent into this piece, what is my labor worth? There are many sides to this question but I want to cement this. Society must recognize that the labor of artists is just as valuable as those of any other profession. It might be hard to comprehend what that labor translates to but remember the song that cheers you up when you’re sad, when you read a book that makes you laugh, when you see yourself in painting, that is what our labor creates.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Ale.mor_n