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

Hi Aria Joy, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Thank you so much for having me! It’s truly an honor to share my story with you. I’ve known I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally since I was a child. I was always the girl spinning magical tales of fairies, monsters, and enchanted worlds for my friends. I would daydream about secret realms and hidden doors that transported me to magical lands. Storytelling was my first love, and it naturally blended with my passion for drawing and art. This is why I consider myself a “Visual Storyteller.” As I started combining my stories with character designs, I realized that I can bring these worlds to life.

In college, I double majored in Graphic Design and Studio Art, eventually earning my Master of Fine Arts in Illustration as well. Watching movies and reading stories only fueled my desire to create my own narratives, to inspire others just as I had been inspired. That’s when it really clicked, I knew that pursuing art professionally was my calling.

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

I’m Aria Joy, a Visual Storyteller and Illustrator, driven by a love for fantasy, magic, and deep emotional connections. From a young age the arts always called to me, and it quickly became clear that pursuing this path was my destiny. I attended Cedarville University where I double majored in Visual Communication Design with a foc on Graphic Design and Studio Art, specializing in painting and ceramics. My passion for art truly blossomed when I discovered illustration and character design, inspired by TV shows. This led me to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design where I refined my skills and storytelling techniques.

After gaining experience through freelance and contract work with several companies, I took a leap of faith and founded my own business, Mermaid Friends LLC. There I create ocean-themed art and share whimsical, imaginative stories through my mermaid character designs. I also have the privilege of connecting with people at festivals and expos where I sell a variety of my works, including prints, paintings, ceramics, and more. A major highlight for me recently was being part of Tennessee’s first-ever Animation Expo, “Animation Y’all,” hosted by Disney’s Bancroft brothers. It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by like-minded creatives, all passionate about storytelling.

I find endless inspiration in movies and TV, particularly children’s television, which fuels my desire to inspire future generations to chase their dreams. One of my biggest inspirations is the Disney TV series “Tangled The Series”, created by my good friend Chris Sonnenbug. The themes in the show, especially the scene where Rapunzel’s mom gifts her a journal with the inscription “Plus Est En Vous” (meaning “There is more in you”), deeply resonated with me. It was a reminder that we all have untapped potential inside of us, and it’s my mission to share my own stories and illustrations to inspire others to recognize their worth and chase their dreams.

I’m most proud of simply continuing on this journey, believing in myself, and encouraging others to do the same. I want people to know that they are more than enough, and there’s always more inside of them waiting to be unlocked. I want to help others realize their potential, dive into their creativity, and surround themselves with people who will support and encourage them every step of the way. I’m incredibly grateful for the friends and mentors who have supported me from the beginning and I’m excited to share this creative journey with others. In my work, I strive to capture the magic and emotion of the world around me, hoping to create a space where others can feel inspired, escape into fantasy, and connect with something deeply meaningful.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and a storyteller is creating meaningful stories and emotional artwork that truly resonates with people. One of my projects I am proud of is my comic on Webtoon called “HeartSleeves,” where I blend illustrations with my own poetry to tell a story of love, loss, and the idea of ‘wearing your heart on your sleeve.’ When readers comment or reach out to tell me how deeply my work impacted them or made them feel a certain way, it inspires me. Knowing that I am able to connect with someone on such an emotional level is one of the things that keeps me going. My goal is to create stories and themes that linger in people’s hearts and make them feel something profound.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My advice for building an audience on social media is simple: share what you’re passionate about, and those who share that passion will naturally join your journey. From my experience, building an audience—whether as an illustrator or in any creative field—requires a mix of timing, consistency, and creating quality work that speaks for itself. If you stay true to your passion and keep pushing yourself to improve, your audience will grow over time.

For illustrators, Instagram is an amazing community. Find your fellow artists, comment on their posts, build genuine relationships, and participate in drawing challenges. Don’t be afraid to host challenges too! Celebrate other artists by sharing their work and showing support—it’s a great way to connect with like-minded people, and before you know it, you’ll have new online friends, some of whom you may even meet in person (I’ve done it!).

As you continue honing your craft, opportunities will start to open up—big names like Disney, DreamWorks, and Disney TV Animation have reposted my work, which helped propel me forward. Collaborations and brand partnerships will come as your skills expand across different mediums. But above all, remember this: there’s only one of you and only one of your unique art style. Keep telling your story and don’t give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mermaidfriends.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariajoy.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mermaid-Friends/100093890235431/
• Webtoon: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/heartsleeves/list?title_no=868521Gumroad: https://ariajoyart.gumroad.com/l/mermaiddreams?layout=profile
• StickerMule: https://www.stickermule.com/ariajoyart