Ivy Alive
Q: Tell us a bit about who you are, where you grew up, and your background as a digital illustrator!
A: I grew up in central Florida, unschooled on a dirt road that’s since been eaten up by mini mansions in UCF suburbia. I didn’t fully appreciate what I had then, but those woods shaped my childhood.
From a young age, I was obsessed with games like Pokémon, Final Fantasy and Neopets. I got my first drawing tablet at 10 years old and dove into customizing web pages, drawing characters, and writing stories in online communities. The early internet and creative virtual spaces fueled my love for digital illustration.
Q: How has Appalachia as a region and culture impacted your creative process?
A: My family moved to western North Carolina when I was 15, and Asheville quickly felt like home. In those days, I was filling so many sketchbooks with inspiration from contra dances, drum circles, herbalism conferences and local landscapes.
I haven’t left the Appalachian mountains since. For a year in my early 20s, I traded NC for PA. The friends I made there were making incredible activist art, often centering queerness and inclusivity in Appalachia. I’m passionate about contributing to that voice.
Q: What are some things that sparked your love for anime & the vibes you like to resonate through in your work?
A: Growing up with two older sisters who were into anime, I was doomed from the beginning. VHS tapes of Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon, and Ghibli films were already common rewatches in the house by the time I reached sentience. In my teens, my mom started taking me to anime conventions, which just deepened my obsession.
Anime has always had something special that Western media didn’t offer as much at the time. The art style and stories have this wonderful balance of maturity and playfulness that inspires my work to this day.
Q: Whats a typical day for you like in the studio?
A: I balance so many different sides of business that all need prioritization at different times, so I keep things very flexible. I keep my work days fun with co-working calls and podcasts. Some days are filled with conventions and travel, others are catching up on art and admin. I follow my instincts—if I’m in a creative flow, I focus on that, even if it means neglecting other tasks. It’s all about balancing the work with what feels right in the moment.
Q: When did you begin to focus on artwork as a career and what does the rest of the year look like for your creative path?
A: I drifted away from art in my late teens, exploring game design and 3D work. But I was really struggling to find a balance between a job that could pay the bills and creative pursuits. After working for one too many soul-sucking managers, I realized I wasn’t going to be fulfilled unless I was working for myself. Over the COVID-19 pandemic, I created a portfolio and had the chance to seriously pursue art full-time.
It’s been non-stop! I’m reopening my Etsy shop, vending at Johnson City Anime Fest and Anime Weekend Atlanta, getting my consignment shops organized, and of course, I’m hoping to create some new work in between it all!