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

Alyssia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Having worked full-time in this field for about three years, I feel my perspective is quite different from many artists and creatives who yearn to create full-time at any cost. At this point in my life, I prioritize stability, even if it means giving up some of my creative time. Since starting my journey in 2019, I’ve frequently faced this topic, wavering between taking on a second job and feeling unsure whether I can depend solely on my art income. When I first started, my excitement about committing to this full-time was incredibly high, and even after achieving success, I maintained that momentum without a backup plan in place. However, as my business slowed down in 2023, I returned to working in childcare, which led me to the realization, “I never have time or energy to create!” Although I’m not juggling a second job now, I recall feeling overwhelmed when I attempted to manage both; it was discouraging to see my business struggle because of time constraints. With the current ups and downs, I feel ready to transition away from managing my business full-time to seek a more stable income. This decision is also influenced by my experiences with burnout and some challenges I’ve faced in my art career. However, this doesn’t mean I will stop being an artist—that’s simply not possible!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a multidisciplinary artist working in painting, sculpture, and digital mediums. I’ve been pursuing this career “officially” for six years now, but I’ve always been a creative person, having been an avid crafter who loved macrame, as well as dabbling in painting and drawing. A large majority of my art is created digitally on Procreate, but I have developed a new love for sculpting and bringing my characters to life in 3D.

When it comes to how I got into my career, to keep it short, almost every door I tried to open closed for me, which always led my heart back to creating art, despite the risks and thoughts that crossed my mind. After going through some significant life transformations, I changed my major and started making art again, while also researching products I could create for my new business, Art by Alyssia Strasser. I enjoyed product creation and began developing collections quarterly, which included small accessories like stickers, pins, and air fresheners, as well as home decor items such as rugs, pillows, and tapestries, and occasionally apparel.

I began to use my creative process to process and heal from the traumatic situations I had experienced related to abuse and domestic violence. I started revisiting my college books of Carl Jung’s work from my freshman English class and delved deeper into psychology, the mind, and the subconscious. Carl Jung’s theories were a topic that piqued my interest during my first year of college, and I even wrote a thesis paper on the subconscious mind for that class. It just wasn’t the right time for it to be a part of my art.

Much of my work remains focused on processing trauma while also exploring human emotion, expression, and our interconnectedness as individuals and souls. I call my characters’ “soul bodies,” and they resemble one’s energy and feelings through their colors and the “energy patterns” on their bodies. I often depict my characters in dark spaces, which can be seen as a representation of the subconscious mind. They are often sitting in their “safe spaces,” which can sometimes resemble a bedroom or a nature field.

I have primarily been sharing my work on Instagram (and on other platforms as well), and I am grateful that it has connected with millions of people around the world. Over the past few years, I have received orders from various countries, and every day, I am deeply thankful for everyone who has supported my art along the way.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, connecting with others through my work and hearing their stories about how they resonate with the art is truly special. People often reach out to share how much my art has changed their perspectives and supported them during tough times. It makes me happy to know that I am making a positive impact on others in such a meaningful way through my art and drawings. I also love connecting in person, especially at events when someone recognizes my work or shares how a particular print of mine links to an emotional experience they’ve had. There have definitely been some tear-jerking moments! I feel incredibly grateful for experiences like these.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Drawing from my past experiences, I strive to inspire and educate others about the vital role mental health plays in our lives. It’s also a significant goal of my art to bring hope to those enduring the hardships of abuse or domestic violence. Much of my earlier work has concentrated on the journey of recognizing difficult situations and the steps toward liberation. As time unfolds, I look forward to focusing my art on fostering peace and connection within our communities, highlighting the importance of reflection for healing and nurturing mental health.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alyssiastrasser.com/
• Instagram: @alyssia.strasser
• Facebook: @art.by.alyssia
• Youtube: @AlyssiaStrasser
• Other: Pinterest: @artbyalyssia

Image Credits

Olivia Strgacich