We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ally. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ally below.
Ally , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents did right. Ever since I was a little girl they supported all of my artistic endeavors. From 6 years old until now there is not a day that’s gone by where they haven’t supported my creativity. I owe my willingness to take risks, be unapologetically myself, and create to them. When I was a little girl I started off in an art camp. Soon that camp turned into classes and then it was just me and my art teacher one on one. I fostered this relationship so much. Ms.Phillis always gave me the tools and criticism to become a better artist. Once I decided in 8th grade to try and pursue art even further we constructed my portfolio for a medium size art school in Queens. After receiving my acceptance my parents encouraged me attend Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. FSSA was an hour and 30 minute train ride from my home in Brooklyn. Every day spent there was a blessing. I worked around so many like minded artists. FSSA’s culture was so new to me. At first this was scary. Everyone was different, talented, and honestly a little weird. After a few weeks there I didn’t know if this was the place for me… My parents on the other hand pushed me to fight through. Soon after that I was a senior in High School and learned I was just as talented, weird, and unique as everyone else and I knew I wanted to continue my artist story.
When college came around I knew art was still a huge part of me. I decided to pursue Art Therapy, which then turned into just a Fine Arts Major, and then shortly after a BSED in Art Education. Throughout all these changes all my parents did was support me. Fast forward to graduating college I knew that I needed to explore the artist before the art teacher. Getting a degree in art education reminded me of why I started to. create in the first place. It connected me with funky, eclectic, and — people. It grounded me. This was the reminder I needed to start a career in the arts, and believe that there is an artist beyond school… and also, not every artist needs to become a teacher. and could you guess who supported my decisions after all of that… my parents.
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.
My mission is to have people stop and take a second to view life through a different lens. I think a huge part of my story is my way of seeing moments and feelings in real time. Also… being a serial creative. One who moves from creative project to creative project. Not only would I call myself a painter, but I also enjoy so many other creative things… like, making jewelry, designing cloths, interior design, floral work, interior decorating and to be quite honest so much more. No matter what job or career path I take the creative inside of me, always comes out and she’s really hard to hide.
Within the past couple of months I decided to accept this person. I realized that you attract the right people when you’re 100% being yourself. So, today I live in Brooklyn New York where I was born and raised creating a space that is spontaneous, forever evolving, and inspiring me to continue to be this funky multipotentialite I was born to be.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
As a creative I don’t think I can ever really speak on what it’s like not being one. BUT what I can say is there was a time when I didn’t quite understand why I couldn’t think a certain way or be a certain way. What I mean by that is, everyone was born with a different brain, mine being a creative brain. It took me years of schooling to understand I didn’t have a math brain, or a business brain or even a history brain. Every person saves space for the things they find important. Someone’s finance knowledge is my knowledge about how to draw the human form. I mean how many times as a creative have you heard “Oh my gosh I can’t even draw a stick figure.” I really sat with that and realized wow, my brain is an artist brain. With this knowledge I’ve learned that the best way to support someone, even if you don’t necessarily care as much about it is so incredibly powerful. So if you’re not a creative person here is a perspective I’d like you to think about! Appreciate the things you can’t do just as much as the things you can do.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that I have to have a plan, I have to know my next move. Everything I thought I was going to be when I was 20 years old is not who I am or what I am right now. Yes, some know who they want to be from a very young age, but that just really stresses me out. I want to be someone different everyday, and that’s okay. I want to evolve, learn skills I never thought I’d learn. Meet people I’d never thought I’d meet, and most importantly create in ever-changing ways. So having a plan doesn’t always workout. Just continue trying, to do, literally anything.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: allymontanaart
- Linkedin: Alexandra Montana
- Other: TikTok for fun – Tracesofmontana
