Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Alan Alien. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be an artist. My notebooks in school were covered in drawings. Back then it wasn’t popular to be an artist how it is now. When I was young I didn’t know it was possible to make a living being an artist, but I knew I was one.

When I was 15 I started working as a club promoter and event organizer. My job was to create parties, each with a concept, theme, booked act, and flyer. It was very elaborate. This let my creativity shine. The cooler the theme, the more interesting the flyer, the more memorable the decoration, and the more unique the act, the more people came and better the parties did. I eventually ran my own club.

I would draw at these parties, since drawing everywhere was part of who I am. People at the parties would see my artwork and encourage me to pursue art. That let me to learn that a fine art career was a real possibility.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a born and raised New York City artist. My fine art drawings and paintings are the core of my business. I create artwork daily, constantly developing my visual language. I’m known for my signature line work and for my non-stop art action as living art. My work is shown in museums and galleries, and placed in collections worldwide. I also run an ongoing performance art project The Living Installation with my partner Jadda Cat. We become living art with painted clothing, handmade costumes and masks, and create guerrilla performances daily around New York City. We often draw and paint while we perform. We also put on theater shows where humans transform into living sculpture.

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

Being a creator, constantly solving problems through your fingertips, expanding your mind, your mental health, and even your physical health. It’s a win being an artist. Just navigate to make sure you don’t get exploited.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic hit, I had to restructure my life and business in order to keep my mom safe. She is extremely fragile and she couldn’t live on her own. I gave up my studio in Bushwick, sold my car, and helped her relocate to a new place where we could live together so I could take care of her. I really felt the loss of my studio since it was the core of my creative life. I’d spend hours daily there, and we would transform it sometimes even weekly into a theater for the The Living Installation. I was able to turn that loss into a new beginning, making a new studio at home and encouraging my mom to be a part of the art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaelalanart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaelalanalien
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/michaelalanalien
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@michaelalanalien