We were lucky to catch up with Ashlianna Felix recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ashlianna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My name is Ashlianna Felix and my collaborator, Roger Andrews, and I run sketchyGOichie DRAW! (Digital Rendering &Art Workshops)
What Are We Offering?
We offer digital art workshops where kids and teens can learn the key principles to illustration and design.
Providing each child with iPads, Procreate, and other digital tools, participants will develop their artistic
skills and creativity.
What does success look like for us?
SketchyGOichie is dedicated to fostering success in young artists at various skill levels and economic
backgrounds. Our mission centers around five key goals:
1. Providing Access To Creativity: The DRAW! Program aims to provide economically
disadvantaged youths of New Bedford a seat utilizing our sponsorship program.
2. Art Career Exposure: Through our Kids Art Show, we offer practical experience by showcasing
children’s artwork and introducing them to the concept promoting their art and share with them
how they can make money through sales.
3. Promoting Socialization: We create an environment conducive to socialization and pave the
way for young artists to build a sense of community and belonging. Children who exhibit strong
social skills have the tendency to be more resilient to stress and grow to be more successful in
adulthood. (“Why Are Social Skills Important for Children?”).
4. Small Class Size Equals Individualized Attention: With small class sizes (2:15), we provide
personalized attention in an inclusive setting, catering to diverse learning abilities.
5. Connecting Art and Technology: Given that the average American spends nearly 7 hours a day
on screens (“Screen Time Statistics”), we transform screen time into creative activities that
empower young artists to produce work that they are proud of.
Who Are We Serving?
Where Do We Operate?
Our workshops are held at Co-Creative Center in New Bedford, MA with plans to expand in the
future.
Our next semester begins on January 25th, come join us while seats are available!
Learn more: www.sketchygoichie.net/draw
Ashlianna, 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?
SketchyGOichie DRAW! empowers a community of diverse, young artists through creative digital drawing
workshops by catering to varied learning abilities and providing access to individuals who are
economically disadvantaged. We offer a supportive environment where kids can socialize, explore career
paths in the arts, and learn to use industry-standard art technology, all while turning screen time into
productive, skill-building experiences.
Who Are We?
SketchyGOichie, led by experienced instructors Roger Andrews and Ashlianna Felix, offers engaging
workshops that inspire and educate future artists. With extensive careers in illustration and design, we’re
dedicated to nurturing creativity in the youth of New Bedford and ensuring art remains accessible and
thriving for the future.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I, Ashlianna Felix, met my partner Roger Andrews during my time at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where I pursued a degree in Illustration and Graphic Design. Roger, one of my professors, became a significant mentor toward the end of my junior year and into my senior year. I approached him about internship opportunities, and he began guiding me through the ins and outs of working with clients in the illustration industry.
Together, we developed a collaborative dynamic where Roger introduced me to real-world client projects, offering invaluable insight and hands-on experience. This mentorship was a turning point in my career, shaping the foundation of my success as an illustrator and graphic designer.
Today, having built my own career, Roger and I are committed to passing on this same transformative mentorship to the next generation of creative entrepreneurs.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being an artist is feeding my inner child. Ever since I was seven years old, I dreamed of a career as an artist. I was captivated by Disney movies and animation. They consumed my imagination and most of my time. I spent hours copying images from the screen into my sketchbook, discovering that I had both a knack for drawing and the patience to develop my technique.
By the time I reached the end of high school, I faced a harsh reality: with two parents in practical careers, I was told that art was not a viable career option. Misguided by their opinions, I floundered for years, unsure of my path.
At 24, I went back to college to pursue a teaching degree but took every art class I could fit into my schedule. One day, an art professor pulled me aside and asked, “Why aren’t you a Fine Arts major?” I told them I wanted to prioritize financial stability. That professor opened my eyes to the world of creative careers, proving that art and practicality could coexist.
Every day I work as a creative professional and get paid for it, I feel like I have made my childhood dream come true. It is deeply important to me to share this knowledge about creative careers with other young artists. By passing on what I have learned, I hope to carve a path for future generations, which is the driving force behind this program.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sketchygoichie.net/draw/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketchygoichie?igsh=ZGJ2ZWlzMmRzbWpj
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sketchygoichie_draw?utm_source=qr_code
