Alana Lemke: The Art of Persistence in Surface Pattern Design
In this blog post, Alana Lemke tells her story of self-discovery and artistic fulfillment. From exploring various careers to finding her passion in surface pattern design, Alana reflects on her journey, creative process, and the milestones that have shaped her path.
On Getting Started
I have always been on a mission to find my true calling and to do something in this world that speaks to my soul. Throughout my teens and twenties I made my way through different occupations, many of them feeling like temporary placeholder jobs until I was finally ready to “grow up” and figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. In my late twenties I went back to school with the intention of doing just that. I took many different classes and took numerous aptitude and personality tests, but ultimately it was an article I read that helped to point me in the right direction. The article recommended looking back to what you loved to do as a child. I recalled how I painted flowers on my bedroom ceiling, the way I was enamored with my grandmother’s abstract paintings, the collages I always felt compelled to make out of magazine clippings, and the endless doodling in my school notebooks. It was more than childhood fun, the act of creating was something that fed my soul and I wanted to find a vocation that would allow me to do that. At the time the idea of being an artist seemed way too far fetched and unattainable so I got a degree in graphic design. This choice felt like it would be creative enough to satisfy me, yet skill oriented enough that I might actually be able to make some money.
On That Defining Moment
I spent several years working as a designer and truly thought that was the path I would continue down. Of course, the thing with graphic design is that you are ultimately visually communicating someone else’s story and not your own. One day I came across an ad for Bonnie Christine’s Immersion course on Facebook and that was when I discovered what surface pattern design was, of course never knowing that something like this existed! I took the Immersion Course and became obsessed with researching and learning everything I could about surface design and art licensing. I suppose you don’t realize what you are missing until you’ve found it, but from that point on there was a fire lit within me and surface design has spoken to me like nothing ever has before.
Nalani Jones doing what she does best
On Handling Uncertainty
I would be lying if I didn’t say that doubts and uncertainties creep into my life on an almost daily basis. I am a bit of an overthinker! Those thoughts are always there, I just don’t let them win. My logic is this... I cannot fail if I never give up. So that is what I do, I just keep going.
On Turning Points & Significant Decisions
A significant moment for me was obtaining my first licensing deal. At the time, I was having a lot of doubts and uncertainties and was honestly feeling pretty defeated. I said a little prayer, asking for some kind of a sign to let me know if I should continue down this path and amazingly, my first licensing deal came shortly after that. It truly was what I needed to obtain a little wind beneath my wings and let me know that all of my efforts were not fruitless. I now realize that expressing myself through creativity is vital to my happiness and I will continue on regardless of monetary success.
On The Creative Process
My creative process varies slightly from day to day, sometimes I just doodle on my IPad and see what happens and other times I trace over photos that I have taken from my morning walks. But I have found that my most favorite way to work is by using a pencil and sketchbook, my hand feels much more fluid and I find that I like my linework more when using a pencil. I then take my pencil sketches and trace over them in Procreate on the IPad, and then transfer those images into Illustrator to build my pattern. This process can be somewhat time consuming for sure, but I find that these steps produce my most loved patterns. My inspiration can come from a variety of sources... architecture, fashion and clothing, but I would say the majority of my inspiration comes from flowers and botanicals. I really enjoy researching unique and exotic flowers from around the world.
The beginning of a beautiful pattern
On Driving TrafficTo Her Work
At this time, I am only using Instagram and the occasional Facebook post to market my work. I plan on contacting potential licensors and utilizing Pinterest in the near future.
On Getting Licensed Work
The licensing contracts I’ve signed thus far have been from participating in art calls. I am hoping to obtain more licenses from pitching my work!
Advice for Aspiring Creatives
Work on perfecting your craft. For most of us, the art that gets created in the beginning is most likely not that good, mine definitely wasn’t! It takes time to get to a place where your work might speak to others.
Know that every single one of us has doubts about our artwork and feels nervous sharing it (at least in the beginning). Do it anyway.
Follow and interact with your target market on Instagram. Research and observe what they are buying.
Participate in art calls. I am just now beginning to pitch my work, every licensing contract I’ve obtained has been from art calls. Some you might win and some you will lose, that’s ok, keep going.
Keep believing in yourself and never give up!
Portfolio Showcase
Instagram handle: @nalani.jones.design
Website: nalanijones.com