Today we’d like to introduce you to Alla Klussmann
Alla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story certainly has no end in sight as I am constantly evolving my art style and work ethic, pushing myself to learn new trades, improving my practices, and expanding my creativity. Knowing my truth of past experiences as a freelance artist, I still feel the sharp pangs of Imposter Syndrome every now and then. To doubt yourself and your abilities is human, but to transcend your fears makes you an artist. It’s always been important to me to transparently show my growth given the challenges that often throw me off course. Being a business owner is pure magic in its own right, but baring my reality is the only way to reach out to any creatives out there that are teeming with anxiety, unable to take the first leap. Hopefully my story inspires you to embrace it all, the wins and the losses, to keep trudging forward, and most importantly, to keep your passion as your focus. Like any post Art School slump, I was lacking a sense of community with other artists that was essential to my technical growth outside of school. I did not have the structure of project deadlines to encourage a consistent stream of work, so I felt detached from creating. For the first time in my career as an artist, I was in charge of my next move, and I had no vision. For years after graduation, I would have disparate glimmers of creativity that would often fizzle out. Years passed and I did not feel fulfilled as an artist. I was always stagnantly waiting for an opportunity that never came. Last year, a realization struck me that I will never forget; I needed to be my own source of inspiration and take the initiative to plant seeds to create my own opportunities. I started to take myself and my work seriously, reevaluating why I made work to begin with. I love connecting with people and designing products that are easily available to all. Art should be accessible and this was my focus. I also began to invest in my tools and my time, making a huge transition from traditional, tactile mediums to digital art with the Apple Pencil and iPad Pro as my sword and shield, ready for it all. I hadn’t drawn in ages, but I disciplined myself to draw nearly every day for the month of October. Giving myself a set schedule with no artistic limitations gave me the freedom to indulge in whatever subject matter I wanted while perfecting my new tools and programs. I was my own teacher, and this gave me a level of confidence in my problem-solving no time in school could ever afford. As I posted my work consistently on Instagram, I started to build that community of artists and art collectors that I desperately craved. I felt seen and understood. My vision continued to evolve, and I was so content knowing that creating for the sake of doing so is powerful not only to reform yourself, but to reach out to others that want to be a part of your narrative. I increased my engagement and was actually selling my original pieces. I couldn’t believe it. As an artist, there is nothing more fulfilling. Finding that balance of not taking my concepts too seriously, but focusing on technique and design helped to relieve me of the anxiety I had to start making work in the beginning. I allowed myself to make the work that I wanted without hesitation as this is the root of my authenticity in art. My audience responded to that vulnerability, and the pressure to create was something I conquered with time. Consistency was my hero, and I pulled myself out of that downturn to be free in my artistic career choices. Now I have steadily built a community of artists, freelancers and small business owners that I enjoy learning from and collaborating with on my path. It is the relationships I have nurtured with entrepreneurs and clients alike that make this kind of work exciting and worthwhile. We are not alone in our work and we look out for each other, recommending projects for one another and flourishing together. The confidence I found in my own discipline is one that I often use as a foundation to help other creatives thrive and bring my clients’ dreams to fruition with my custom art commissions, graphic design services and handmade signs for special events. I have achieved the level of freedom I could have never perceived years ago, and it took hard work, discipline and the confidence to know I deserve to be here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My own fear of failure got in my way many times in the beginning of my career as a business owner which I overcame with time, but the biggest technical struggle in my own experience is visibility in an oversaturated market on Social Media. Social Media can be an incredible tool when used correctly; however, there is no blue print to boost your engagement and get fresh eyes on your work. This can be a struggle with the various platforms out there, but I have been the most successful when I give myself a consistent schedule to post, utilize hashtags, and create content copywriting that is clear and on brand. Also, linking my Online Art Print Shops at vsual.co/shop/lunebones
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Flora, fauna and folklore are the delights of my original art collection for my art print, apparel and merchandise business, Lunebones. I am an illustrator at my core, and I accompany each piece with my poetry, telling tales of visceral feelings, expanding worlds and intricate characters. I am recognized by my rhythmic, technical line work that grounds my collection, while the subjects are simultaneously driven by portraiture and surrealism. I am deeply inspired by traditional 2D animation, concept art, comic book illustrations and folk art, striving to bring that level of dynamic gesture and expression into my work. Striking spectral beings, impossible wild beasts and the botany of distant lands can be found in all of my artwork. I enjoy the interplay of ghostly creatures existing in another realm with natural elements like vines, flowers and pearls as ornamentation. I want to create a fantasy world for my audience to escape in and feel the acceptance by my creatures they may not find in their waking world. I was a commercial Sign Artist and Graphic Designer for Trader Joe’s and Central Market for nearly half a decade after I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, and the crisp line work that I had to perfect out of necessity for my hand-lettering at work translates into the construction of my more personal, original designs for my company. Even though I use similar techniques from sign painting in my illustrations for Lunebones, I still take on collaborative freelance hand-lettered sign and graphic design projects for personal gifts, business brand development and special events. I welcome anyone that has an art project in mind, to email me at aklussmann6@gmail.com to discuss their next idea! I work quickly at an affordable rate, and can deliver high quality art and design. I am always prospecting for new client relationships, networking opportunities and my commission book is always open.
How do you think about happiness?
Having the opportunity to create friendships and business relationships with new clients, local artists, art galleries, and small business owners makes me feel a level of accomplishment, freedom and happiness I never thought was possible for myself. My burgeoning career allows me to support my lovely family and achieve the independence I have always dreamt of. When patrons resonate with my artwork, it makes my heart soar. Seeing a client get excited over the custom artwork I made for them, the hand-lettered sign I created for their wedding, or the logo I designed for their new business is an absolute honor. Knowing that I played a small part in their excitement and growth is extremely rewarding, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Pricing:
- $150 – Starting price for a Digital Custom Commissioned Art Piece
- $150 – Starting price for a Custom Graphic Design Project
- $12.50 per Square Foot – Starting price for Hand-Lettered Signs for Special Events & Weddings
- $40.47 + Shipping – Lunebones Sweatshirt for my Apparel Shop
- $6 + Shipping – Starting price for my INPRNT Art Cards
Contact Info:
- Email: aklussmann6@gmail.com
- Website: http://allaklussmann.carbonmade.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/lunebones & htt ps://www.instagram.com/signs. by.alla - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lunebones
- Other: https://www.linktr.ee/lunebones
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