Today we’d like to introduce you to Alycia Pace.
Hi Alycia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Well, I loved creating as a little girl and was always drawn to creative expression. Theatre, singing, storytelling, and art were all fascinating to me. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to do with that, but I also knew I was going to be a mother so I could never picture how that would work out.
After having children, though, it seemed that creating was even more important for my soul. I needed it to continue to feel alive and to feel… like me! There was a lot of battling with this feeling since it seemed selfish, and since it was such an arduous path of self-loathing, guilt, and pain as I neglected my needs, but also wasn’t fully invested or present for my kids… I’ve now been creating a program to help creative moms search for balance in art amid motherhood.
There’s so much, that it’s hard to know what to focus on, but within the 7 years between graduating in animation from BYU and having my baby now – I have created picture books, an Etsy shop, a boutique at Painted Tree, T-shirt’s, classes for artists, and now one of my stories is animated on Netflix! It’s been fun, but I’m finally finding a good place mentally where I’m not pushing so hard for the next goal, but learning to enjoy where I’m at and enjoy every sweet moment with my kids without feeling the need to prove my worth by accomplishing more goals.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve been blessed with a beautiful life. But instead of giant challenges, I struggle with daily battles of guilt, fear of falling short, self-sabotage, and anxiety. As a mother you feel that every moment should be dedicated to your children, and there are so many voices in the world right now yelling to take time for “self-care…” but I wasn’t sure what that was for me. Was it a career? Was it daily massages? Was it meditation? Exercise? Or if it’s all of those things, then how on earth is there time for all of that while also feeding a family, cleaning, teaching kids, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.?
So figuring out priorities and also healing my internal world so that I can clearly see myself and what’s going on… because for example, did I want a career, or was I living in fear that I wasn’t valuable or capable or important unless I was achieving “success?” Or was it that my soul was yearning to make an impact and reach people? Probably some of both. But learning how to recognize and see myself differently has impacted my motherhood journey and my art career.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write and illustrate children’s books, do a bit of freelance illustration work, I teach Artists how to reach their art goals, and I am a full-time mama!
I’m most proud of my editor’s top pick on Amazon: “How to Potty Train a Dinosaur” – and seeing it animated on Netflix was a highlight in my career for sure!!!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I loved going to my Great Aunt and Uncles farm. They had horses, dogs, blueberries, and a sweet “Anne of green gables” type feel to their home and garden – it felt magical to be there.
Contact Info:
- Website: AlyciaPace.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pacepaintings?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==
- Other: Courses.alyciapace.com
