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

Hi Evan , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always been a creative person. When I was younger, I would draw pictures on my Nana’s scrap pieces of paper and talk to myself while drawing. But I felt most at home, with illustration. I’ll never forget the stories I would illustrate. I wasn’t aware of comics at 4, so I didn’t realize I could fit all the pictures on one panel, so I would have many pieces of papers illustrating a scene. Ive always loved the way stories were told visually, so naturally I loved film and tv as a kid. Sometimes I would see adult movies or tv without my mom’s knowledge. It was the 90s. A few of my pictures had hospital themes or tornados. I was big fan of ER and Twister the movie frightened me as a kid. So I had many pages of scenes of people running from tornados or being intubated. One page was a grave yard scene. The horror my mom felt when she realized the girl in the hospital didn’t make it! Ha

When I started to enjoy creative writing projects in middle is when I thought, maybe I could do this professionally. I focused in on that dream by going to Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Where I majored in what was then called Literary Media, when I graduated from Duke. I went to Goucher college intent on being a creative writer but changed my major midway through junior year to fine arts. Then focused more on graphic design because I didn’t see a future in being a full time illustrator. Now, I know that was definitely possible.

Evan , 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?

Im Evan Odoms. In the illustrator world I go by Evan Ashly. I wouldn’t say I am a well known artist or designer, but I am the sole graphic designer at The Environmental Law Institute.

My favorite thing to illustrate are scenes, although that has changed a lot since I’ve gotten older. I love graphic novels and would like to publish one, if I don’t stop procrastinating.

I am most proud of my illustration on my IG. And some old drawings from my past, that I’ve never posted.

I illustrated a children’s book for a client but it fell through…I guess I’m most proud of completing that. That was the most drawings I’ve ever done, so now I know I have it in me to illustrate and write a graphic novel.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Professionally, I’ve had to unlearn to not take critique so personally. When you create art or design for work, it’s personal. You put your all into that work! You’ve picked every detail of that piece for a reason. When someone rips it apart it feels like you’re being stabbed multiple times. But it’s never personal. For graphic design, you have to be able to “kill your darlings.” I heard that phrase while working contract graphic design job. It’s so true though! Some people won’t like what you make, but as long as you have an outlet outside of work I feel like you won’t feel as heartbroken.

Another lesson learned was about social media.
I started using social media later in life. I’m a Millennial, so I know a world before and after the internet. The lesson, I had/have to unlearn is not to compare myself to other successful artist.

I have my own style of art and sometimes I think it’s not good enough, or I’m not popular enough on social media. It does make me feel insecure sometimes, but then I realize that there’s room for everyone in the art world and my work is just as important.

also for young artist starting out. I had to literally unlearn the anime style. My elementary art teacher made me draw in a different style. As a 10 year old I resented her, but as an adult I do thank her. My style is still inspired by anime and manga. But I feel like it’s my own.

I think there’s nothing wrong with liking or being inspired by someone else’s work but you should never lose your personal style in the process. It’s also okay to explore other genres. I’ve always loved drawing people. Some of the freelance projects I’ve done has challenged me to draw animals, buildings or landscapes. I’m always surprised when I can draw them well.

So another lesson is to challenge yourself artistically sometimes.

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

I love being an artist! You’re just automatically cool, strange, weird, and delightful. Lol I love expressing myself visually, I love being able to turn to art when I’m depressed or happy.

I love being apart of a community with creative people and picking their brains. My favorite part is finding niche creative people.

Its rewarding when you create something that comes out just as you pictured in your brain! That feeling is amazing ! Or the feeling of making something better than you expected.

I look at the world with art colored glasses, I can’t see the world any other way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.evanashly.com/
• Instagram: @evanodomsart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-odoms-17b9b772
• Other: tiktok: @evanash7art