Meet Alyssa Hamilton | Abstract Artist and Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Hamilton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I got married last year and I am now 7 months pregnant with my first baby. I think it’s important to go with the ebb and flow of life. This year, my priorities have definitely been different than they have been in previous years, and, because of the flexibility in my career, I get to spend that extra time dedicating myself to my new, growing family. In the past, my focus has solely been on growing my craft and my career. Now, I am making that career work for me, as I take it my slowly in this new phase of my life. I am planning on spending a lot more time painting a few months after my son is born. It is important to me that he grows up around a mother who knows who she is in addition to being his mom. I think balance, to me, is not necessarily allocating equal time to both of these aspects of myself, but giving each enough space to grow and flourish together. I don’t believe we have to give up aspects of ourselves to make room for others, instead we can build lives that hold each of these things in a place of importance. That is balance to me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a self taught abstract painter. I love to explore different mediums, different colors, and different styles; in the process creating something interesting, beautiful, and new each time. I am most proud of how far I’ve gotten without being tied to convention. I did not go to art school, and instead was introduced to the art world through an internship at the Denver Art Museum. After being around artwork done by masters and people who love looking a it every day, I knew it is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I went home every night and painted. My dining room was filled with hundreds of not so great pieces, until one day I woke up and they started looking better. From there, I continued reading and learning about how to create movement, texture, and dimension in my work until it became something that was less of a learning process and more of fun exploration. I was very hard on myself for several years because none of my work looked the same as the last thing I had done and now I’m thankful for it because that’s what makes me stand out. I have several collectors who contact me immediately when I post new work, because they know they won’t get another opportunity for something like that again. Each piece I make is a snapshot of my mind in that current moment, and that makes it just as fleeting.

In addition to original work, I also have pieces available as prints and products in several locations. As someone who didn’t grow up with a lot of money, it has always been important to me to make my work accessible to as many people as possible. I think the art world can be very focused on elitism and I believe that everyone who wants something beautiful in their lives should have access to it. I also want to be a beacon of hope for those who didn’t grow up with a ton of connection and privilege. I know learning the ins and outs of such a nuanced career can be difficult, but if you’re in love with what you’re doing, it is definitely possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Des Moines, Iowa.

I am a huge coffee connoisseur, so my favorite places in town are coffee shops. Horizon line coffee is wonderful as well as St. Kilda. They are both locally owned and have a very artistic vibe.

My favorite food is Thai food. My favorites in town are Lucky Lotus and Banana Leaf, as well as a little hole in the wall called Zuzap Thai.

I like to go to the dog park with my dog, Sebi, and to go stand up paddle boarding at Raccoon River Park.

On Saturdays in the spring and summer, Des Moines has a huge farmer’s market downtown that I love with tons of vendors, music, food trucks, and tons of things to look at.

If you are a parent, Blank Park Zoo is such a fun afternoon, it is not huge, but it is the perfect size for a toddler to walk around it without getting too tired (until they get to the car.)

I also like to go to comedy shows at the Funny Bone in West Des Moines – right next to Banana Leaf!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother is my number one fan and has been my number one supporter since the day I was born. She was a single mother for a lot of my life and somehow always made it work. She never faltered in her unwavering faith in me and my dreams. It could not have been easy to have a daughter go to college, get two science degrees, and then move across the country to pursue an (unpaid) internship at an art museum. Instead of discouraging this wild turn of events, she jumped in headfirst with me and didn’t look back. She never once told me “no” when it came to me figuring out exactly who I was, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without that. Everything I am is because she believed I could be.

Website: www.alyssahamiltonart.com

Instagram: @alyssahamiltonart

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssahamiltonart/

Twitter: AKathleen7

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssahamiltonart

Other: www.society6.com/blushingbrushstudio www.etsy.com/shop/alyssahamiltonart