Interview by Amanda Thiel
You may recall her amazing project from last year: "May-A-Day", where Alisha Jones featured lesser-known May holidays. Learn how peer pressure can sometimes be a good thing when it urges you to create and find out what made Alisha want to come back for another round of Delaware Fun-A-Day!
Lets talk Delaware! Are you a local Delawarean? If not, what’s your connection?
Though I’m not a native Delawarean I’ve tied down many roots here. I attended high school in New Castle, ate plenty of Capriotti's and taken many walks around
Do you have a favorite Delaware activity? Any fun places we should check out?
I used to live in Delaware City and my favorite thing to do was take the ferry over to Pea Patch Island. There’s so much history there and it’s creepy and interesting at the same time.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year?
New Year’s Resolutions stress me out. As soon as I think of one, someone else tells me their new year's resolution and I think that I need to work on that too, so I add it to a list of New Year’s resolutions and put them in my file cabinet, under “NYR15” and never look at them again. If I had summarize from my long list of resolutions, I would say to live a better quality of life.
How did you get introduced to Delaware Fun-A-Day? What or who inspired you to participate?
Two years ago, I decided to attend the Show with my friend Katie Langshaw to support her boyfriend Steve Alawishus. I was soon taken by surprise when I discovered so many other people I knew were also participating. Everyone kept asking if I was going to participate the next year, so it’s safe to say I was peer pressured into joining the fun.
You did a super successful photo project for DE Fun-A-Day 2014, Lost Sock Day was a personal favorite for me. Do you enjoy working in other mediums?
I’m kind of a closet craft person. I really love working with paper. Though it’s not something that often show; it’s therapeutic. I also dabble in video and slideshows. Family and friends often request that I create and edit slideshows for their memories. I even get a request or two from a cousin to shoot a music video to help his aspiring rap career. Don't believe me? Check it out.
How long have you enjoyed making art?
Making art is second nature to me. I never thought I would do anything else. I always had a pen in my hand and a crazy idea in my mind. The first time I decided to really focus on it, was in high school. I watched this documentary on industrial design I was completely intrigued with the creative process. Collaboration and experimentation is exciting to me. I believe no idea is stupid; it’s just a valley on your way to the next peak.
What type of themes do you like to pursue in your work?
I typically pursue tongue and cheek themes when I work. if it makes me (or you) laugh, I’m inspired. You could say it comes from my happy place.
Are there any artists that influence you?
Jill Greenberg - love her photographs, her portraiture is so beautiful, and often her subject matter is playful and fun. Paula Scher is another huge influence for me. Her funky, bold, fun type is loud and in your face and she’s doesn't apologize for it. I love it.
You are planning to participate this year, what made you want to come back and what can we expect to see?
What’s making me want to do this again, is just simply how fun it was. The commitment to create something every day for 1 month made me feel accomplished in the end. This year, I plan to continue working with photography, but I’m considering playing with typography as well.
Have any advice for our first year participants?
My advice to other participants. Don’t think small, go with your gut and have fun making stuff.
Is there a place we can check out more of your work?
I have a website: www.alishagraphicdesign.com
And I post creative stuff on instagram as well: @alishajonesdesign
I know you've enjoyed getting to know this creative young woman and participating Delaware Fun-A-Day Artist, Alisha Jones, so don't forget to stop by and see our upcoming interviews with Sara Duncan, Joy Smoker, Alyssa Molin-Graves and Dylan Durrant!
You can help make Delaware Fun-A-Day possible for all by making a donation to support the location and other costs of the event. It will make you feel awesome, I promise!