We recently connected with Allie Stango and have shared our conversation below.

Allie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I am incredibly fortunate to have a mom and dad who consistently supported me throughout my childhood as a creative individual. From an early age, I exhibited a keen eye for detail and a strong inclination towards anything crafty and colorful. Recognizing my passion for these artistic pursuits, my parents wholeheartedly embraced and encouraged my creative dreams as a young child.

While I grew up as a traditional artist using various mediums like pastels, charcoal, clay, watercolor, and colored pencils, I decided to pursue a college education in Graphic Design at SUNY Oswego. Throughout this journey, my parents never once tried to dissuade me from pursuing a creative career path. In fact, they openly expressed their preference for me to stick with art during my college years.

One of the remarkable things my parents did right was their unwavering faith in me, even if pursuing a creative degree might not have seemed like the safest option for most people — they believed in my unique artistic abilities. They instilled in me the confidence that I would not only find success in my chosen field, but also happiness in my career and life.

My parents’ trust in my capabilities and their belief in the power of art as a fulfilling and meaningful career shaped my mindset and allowed me to pursue my creative passions with determination. I am forever grateful to my parents for their support, as it has played a pivotal role in my journey towards a full-time job in the creative industry. I now have 6 years under my belt as a successful full-time graphic designer while also building my own side-hustle selling my paintings and pottery.

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.

Ever since I could hold a crayon, my passion for creating and engaging in all things art-related has been an intrinsic part of who I am. As a detail-oriented artist even at the age of four, I delighted in drawing scenes featuring the characters from my favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz. In those drawings, I meticulously added every character’s fingers and even their fingernails. I could spend endless hours immersed in my imaginative world, crafting scenes with rainbow nonpareil sprinkles carefully placed on the sticky side of duct tape. With a wet toothpick, I would pick up each sprinkle, one by one, until a magical creation unfolded before me.

Throughout my childhood, traditional art became my sole focus. Painting, drawing, sculpting—anything that allowed me to express my creativity using my hands—captivated my attention. I relished the challenge of pushing myself to create and build, finding immense pride in the final outcome of my projects.

When it came time to choose a college path, I made the decision to pursue Graphic Design. Although I initially had no knowledge of this field, my first design class in 2014 opened my eyes to a whole new world. Since then, I have developed a deep appreciation not only for traditional art but also for the incredible possibilities that arise through ever-advancing technology. As a graphic designer, I have learned to recognize and appreciate design trends, understand business practices, and so much more. My confidence as a designer has grown, and I have developed a genuine love for graphic design that compliments my passion for traditional art. I feel that growing up as an eager artist has given me a special kind of design “eye” that translates beautifully into the world of graphic design. I take pride in my strong sense of composition, design styles, and attention to detail that only grew stronger each time I tried a new project as a kid and blossomed into my adulthood.

With passions for both traditional media art and graphic design, I have been able to grow a beautiful career for myself while also developing several side hustles. Aside from my 9-5 job, I work as a freelance designer on one-off projects for companies in various industries, I sell my very own paintings and pottery on my website, alliestango.com, and also work on my newest business venture selling greeting cards through my own company called Tango Creatives (tangocreatives.com). As you can tell, I love to keep busy, and I am so proud of the life I have been able to achieve through art. I hope to one day be able to build my current side-hustles to full-time businesses that financially support me without working a corporate 9-5. I love where I am in my career now, but getting back to my original roots and working for myself is where I dream to be long-term.

Art and design are not only my greatest passions in life but also the driving forces behind my aspirations. I hope that they lead me to explore diverse corners of the world. In my thirties, I envision a nomadic lifestyle that allows me to travel and connect with people from various backgrounds, each with their own unique stories and inspirations. I believe that art serves as a powerful unifying agent, capable of influencing our world in profound ways. It is through these experiences and connections that I hope to continue growing as an artist and making a meaningful impact on the world around me.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is two-fold. Firstly, it’s the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow creatives. Through my artistic journey, I have had the privilege of meeting a multitude of talented individuals – business owners, designers, agency owners, and artists. These interactions have enriched my life in countless ways. The exchange of ideas, the sharing of experiences, and the mutual support among creatives have been incredibly inspiring and have expanded my horizons as an artist.

Secondly, being an artist has allowed me to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Through the act of creating, I have learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. Each artistic endeavor becomes an avenue for exploration, enabling me to delve deep into my thoughts, emotions, and perspectives. This process has not only helped me understand my own identity as an artist but has also fostered a sense of self-assurance and confidence. Embracing my creativity has allowed me to tap into my unique voice and express myself authentically, leading to a greater sense of fulfillment and empowerment.

Overall, the combination of connecting with fellow creatives and experiencing personal growth has made the artistic path immensely rewarding. It’s a continuous journey of self-expression, self-discovery, and meaningful connections that fuels my passion as an artist and reinforces the significance of creativity in my life.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was being my own worst critic and struggling to accept criticism from others. This mindset shift came about during my college years, where we had regular sessions in which the entire class would gather to review and critique each other’s projects. Initially, this experience was terrifying for me. Having my work displayed on a big screen while my peers dissected it felt like a personal attack.

However, with time and reflection, I began to appreciate the value of these critiques. They forced me to take pride in my work and view criticism as an opportunity for growth rather than a judgment on my artistic abilities. I learned that feedback, even if it initially stung, was crucial for pushing myself to improve and refine my artistry.

Simultaneously, I realized the importance of taking criticism with a grain of salt. While I understood the significance of constructive feedback, I also recognized that not every critique should hold equal weight. If I believed in a piece I had created and felt a strong connection to it, the negative opinions of others no longer bothered me. Ultimately, I realized that my own satisfaction and pride in my work were what truly mattered.

Through this journey, I unlearned the habit of being excessively self-critical and developed a healthier mindset when it came to receiving criticism. I now approach critiques with an open mind, embracing them as opportunities for growth, while also staying true to my artistic vision and valuing my own judgment. This lesson has allowed me to navigate the creative landscape with greater confidence and resilience, continually pushing myself to improve while staying true to my artistic voice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alliestango.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astangoart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-stango-6a2949129/
• Other: https://www.tangocreatives.com/

Image Credits
Concetta Dieli