Today we’d like to introduce you to Aly Grober.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an artist who is shaped by my childhood. My story starts with a blank birth certificate. How the hospital let me go home without a legal name, I have no idea?! When I was 17, I signed up for the delayed enlistment program in the US Air Force. For this, I needed my birth certificate. I discovered an amendment was made in 1987. I was 8…EIGHT years old when Alexandria Alyssia Carrill was listed as my legal name. Growing up, depending on which parent I lived with, I either went by Alyssia or Alexandria. By high school, I finally decided to go by Aly. It also probably took me a good 5 years to accept my married name of Grober too, although I still sign my art with my maiden name as homage to my Cuban heritage.
My father is an artist from Cuba and raised me in an art studio. Sometimes he did well as an artist, and I spent several years living in Malibu, CA. Sometimes his art wasn’t as reliable, and I lived with my mom. I know because of my childhood experiences the past shaped who I am today. I am stronger because through it all, I let art be my refuge. I let art help me to escape the yelling and conflict. I let art give me a safe place to express my feelings and ideas. I let art encourage me to seek more from what I saw in front of me. Being creative gave me permission to be myself and be free to create something out of nothing.
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?
At 17 I was living on my own, with roommates, in Boulder, CO. I went to high school in the day and worked at night. I knew I needed to do something to create a better life for myself, and so I joined the Air Force. I am who I am today because I learned to adapt and overcome many challenges throughout my childhood. I grew up moving between my parents, from California to New Jersey. Before I had joined the Air Force, I had been to 16 different schools and lived in six different states. To say I am a college graduate, after all that is testament to my determination and to God’s guidance leading my path. I am the first of my family to graduate from college. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington with a B.F.A. and emphasis in Glass. I love making art. Exploring different ways to create has been my refuge, my escape, and my motivation. I have the support of my loving husband and encouragement of my two sweet boys. I am happy to be able to share my artistic passion with my students at Texas School of the Arts.
As an artist, I can get hung up on a blank canvas, my inner voice judging and critiquing, comparing my work to others. None which is good. To get out of my head, I go to my little art studio that my husband built for me in the backyard, crank up the music and get in a creative zone. Sometimes, my “Get Loose Canvas” as I call it, turns out to be my most successful artwork because it lacks limitations and pre-conceived plans. I have been inspired by many artists, but when I think back to their artwork, I notice they all have their own unique style. How did they come up with that? By creating, exploring, and pushing ideas to reality!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an artist, I find many materials to be avenues for creativity… from glass fusing and hot glass, collage to watercolor and acrylic painting. I just like to create. Currently, I paint with acrylic on canvas or wood, and I have recently enjoyed experimenting with resin. I find the shiny surface of resin magnifies colors and details.
I paint intuitively, meaning I paint with no vision of what I hope to create. I get in the groove and let the paint guide me. I put layer upon layer of paint until I see a good composition coming through. Sometimes I see my paintings as a background and create a flower or horse on top. I love nature, and horses bring me back to fond memories from my childhood.
I also create jewelry and have sold my work at the Fort Worth Arts Goggle and have exhibited in many art shows in the DFW metroplex. My paintings are currently on display at Soma Winery, at 201 S. Main St., Fort Worth.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Ha! This was a topic of discussion I recently had with my husband. I shared with him how I wondered if I felt stifled from my creativity due to over-reliance on Pinterest. The app is great for ideas, especially for teachers, but too many ideas can also limit my creativity to the vision of others. I think I have reached a point where I need to “shut the noise” and explore my own artistic voice. I title this chapter “For Fox Sake.” I was searching for lesson ideas for my students and kept coming across many versions of how to draw a fox, from painting to drawing. I felt so bored seeing so many versions of the same thing. I realized how important it is as an artist and educator to focus on authenticity. Every creative has a unique mark and contribution to make. We all have our story to tell, and sharing that voice is how we can connect with others. I strive to empower and inspire my students to express their own voice through everything they create.
Contact Info:
- Website: carrillstudio.com
- Instagram: @carrillartstudio
- Youtube: @createwithaly
