Alayna Craig is a amazingly talented young artist from Austin, Texas. She has a beautiful talent that can rival her older counterparts, and is living proof that our youth will produce amazing artwork that future generations can admire.
I did an interview with Ms. Craig:
What’s your name?
My name is Alayna Craig.
How old are you?
I am 19
How did you first discover your talent?
I first realized I had a talent for art when I was in middle school and I think others discovered I had talent before I even understood what that meant. As a child, my parents greatly encouraged me to practice my art work. My mom even sacrificed some of her most cherished cook books for the sake of “me wanting to draw in them”
That’s really sweet, What inspires you? Music? Nature?
I am mostly inspired by nature but it is color combinations and patterns that spark my interest the most. I have a strange fascination with nature and industry bonding as one, so in most of my works you will find the whimsical flowers placed next to harsh patterns, shapes and grunge.
Also, what are some of your favorite quotes and sayings?
One of my favorite quotes, and something that describe me very well, is one said by Henry Miller in his book Tropic of Cancer (this book happens to be my favorite) He says, “An artist is always alone - if he is an artist. No, what the artist needs is loneliness.” Though I am not an anti-social person, when my social life is my main focus, my art and creative side tends to lag. Social lives and company only puts me in an artistic slump. Being alone however… that’s when the ideas are allowed to be released.
Beautifully said, Do you think art is as important to our generation compared to 100 years ago
Art is always going to be important to every generation. It is what creates our buildings, our electronics and everything else we use in our daily lives. Unfortunately, “good” art isn’t important in our generation. Everyone should be allowed to create and make whatever art they please, I am a firm believer of that, but the intelligence behind some of modern day’s “artists” is incredibly depressing. Most young people couldn’t even name a painting by Van Gogh or Dali and they probably don’t even know who Rafael is unless it is speaking of the Ninja Turtles. Our public school systems are greatly lacking in the art area, including music. It is incredibly terrifying to know that one day, art classes and music will be completely removed from our public school systems.
How long does it usually take to finish a piece?
In private art lessons when I was seven, I was taught that it’s not the time taken on a piece that matters, it is the outcome. I could spend months upon months on a piece, but it would never be finished until it was finished, not when I was tired with it. Unfortunately, I can’t give you a reasonable time that it takes for me to create art. It really depends on the medium and subject. Digital art, I’d say two to three hours. Paintings, however… well, I don’t consider any of them to be complete, there’s still so many little things I want to fix. Sometimes when I am at places that display my art or at homes who have bought my pieces, I just want to rip the canvas off the wall and do more work to it. It takes me a few days to get the piece “presentable” but I don’t believe they are ever finished.
Who is an artist you admire?
A “classic” artist that I admire the most would be Rembrandt for just obvious reasons. He is absolutely incredible. Here lately though, on the modern side of art, I’ve had my eye on Chuck Anderson He is exactly where I want to be in life.
Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?
In ten years, I’ll have my digital art in advertisements across the world. I’ll remain unknown to the public, as the public doesn’t tend to follow digital artists, and maybe I’ll have been in some more art shows by then for my paintings. It’s painting that I’d really like to pursue, but it just isn’t do-able.
Are there any other links are websites that you’d like me to include?
Linking to my deviantART is always fine with me, but I also have an online portfolio (hasn’t been updated as recently as my deviant) and if you’d like to include that as well, you can.
more of her work:
