Today we’d like to introduce you to Alana Kay Latiolais.
Alana Kay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
WELCOME to AlanaKayART.
What started as a DIY project in my driveway soon unfolded into me answering a simple question, “Are you an artist?” to which I boldly answered, Yes. I am.
On paper, I began as a licensed Cosmetologist and then added a Merchandising degree to the mix. As life unfolded, blossoming into marriage and a family, I cultivated color into every part of my life, never blending into a crowd, decidedly leaving the world brighter than I found it, believing wholeheartedly the richness of tones can change a mood, spark joy, and evoke connection.
As an Artist, my passion is to see a story and communicate it with vibrancy. Our world is unmuted – loud with movement and full of life. I believe we should surround ourselves with things that make us come alive. I create from the tension, a magnetic pull between impatience and patience – desire, urgency, and excitement fuel the creativity while slowing down, careful evaluation and waiting serve to refine the process; a delicate balance of grit and grace.
My passion is creating one-of-a-kind pieces that transform spaces into extensions, the expressions of each unique client. Whatever the medium – a painting, leggings, an acrylic tray or a skirt – every piece of AlanaKayART champions a story worth telling.
AlanaKayART exists to be a space of collaboration and creation, filling the world with color. What began as a “Maybe I could…” has grown into a beautiful “Let’s do this!” AlanaKayART has empowered private patrons and partnered with non-profits. Escaping the Storm, Warrior, More Than A Whisper – each piece represents a completely different history, but they all tell the human story. Just imagine what YOU + AlanaKayART’s story will look like!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My career life has been one big challenging journey. I left my career to travel around for my husband’s job and to raise our family. Those things are important but definitely not the way I saw my work/life balance playing out when I graduated college. I needed to be right where I was for my family but I constantly had this burning desire to do more. I knew I was capable but I also needed to be flexible for the changes we were all going through. I stayed plugged in through volunteering, leadership training, and any side hustle I could add to my plate and do from home. I was often defeated by where I was professionally but I kept finding ways to stay relevant and push forward any small way I could.
Looking back, I see the importance of each difficult step along my journey. I do not believe I would have been set up to see the opportunity that was falling into place with AlanaKayART had I not been through some of the really difficult and dark places I had journeyed through to get there.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into AlanaKayART story. Tell us more about the business.
I am an abstract artist turned designer. I started out pouring resin. Creating beautiful, bright, vibrant works of art. Each painting is a reflection of who I am, what I am feeling, and any hopes and dreams I have too. I wanted a way to hold onto each piece I had created and that is how I landed on Art as Fashion, turning my abstract paintings into wearable art!
I work with several manufacturers to lay out the art into different styles: leggings, pleated midi skirt, and scarves to start out. The way the art is presented in each piece is the most important part of my design process.
I am known for bright colors, interesting color contrast, and gold leaf in my paintings.
What sets me apart is my no fear attitude when it comes to color! Black is classic and has its place in the world of fashion and design but color can make you feel something you have never felt before and can send a powerful message to the people you interact with day to day.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Women today are thinking outside of the box, really trying to go for the do-it-all lifestyle but with that comes many sideways looks or people not taking you seriously. My art studio is in my home, my office is in my home, I ship orders from my dining room, and my inventory is all housed in my home… currently. To some people that makes it seem like I am just doing this for fun or a little side hustle project when in reality I am focused on this 100% and am working to have AlanaKayART be a well-known brand, not just a fun project.
There is a magic in the air for women right now, can you feel it? The conversations are happening around unequal pay, sexual abuse, glass ceilings, our voice, etc., and it is up to us to keep it going, keep moving forward, take chances, and be bold.
I know there are barriers to any industry for women but I have decided to live like life is rigged in my favor, barriers or not.
Pricing:
- Pleated Midi Skirt, $138
- Silk Scarf, $98
- Leggings $128
- Acrylic Tray, $78
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AlanaKayART.com
- Phone: 214-493-9557
- Email: alanakayart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanakayart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanakayart/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyd-X6r74rRxwWfTUQq4acQ?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Creative Collab, http://creativecollablv.com
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
