We had the good fortune of connecting with Alana Tashjian and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alana, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
― A.A. Milne
Each day is an opportunity to change something, to either leave bad habits aside, to pick up new ways of being, or to keep up our good habits which sustain us. Creativity also is like this. It may show up some days, and other days it may not. The job is to go every day to draw, paint, cut, paste — hell, even just gesso a canvas if you’re really not feeling it that day. Rivers erode rocks not through sheer force, but by determination. It doesn’t matter if you get there quickly, like a waterfall, or slowly, like a stream – both end at the ocean eventually.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m really still just starting out, I feel! There are many challenges yet to come, some hurdles which seem so big that they seem insurmountable. But I am getting there anyways just the same. My art is also a very slow process. So many transparent layers of paint, mixed-media textures, collage pieces (which honestly require so much cutting that you end up hating scissors), but the process is (as usual) what’s to love about creating. You’re not just after the creation, you’re after the act of creating itself. Looking at the process as a meditative act that you can come to and “tune into” your zone or your calm place, is like coming to sit on the yoga mat every day – another ritual that I partake in every morning. Looking forward to much more to come with my art.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think it’s obvious as a crazy artist to take the friend to Meow Wolf! Such an awesome spot. I’d love to work with them in their creation process one day. I think that’d be so fun.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Vision Train (look it up!) is a wonderful community of visionary artists of all mediums, who get together on zoom calls and create together. It got me through the pandemic and I’ve made wonderful friendships through this lovely group of open-hearted creative people. I’m very grateful to have found it!
Website: https://www.alanatashjian.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanatashjianart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanatashjianart
Image Credits
All artworks by Alana Tashjian (www.alanatashjian.com)