Biography

My name is Alycia Shiann. I am a 25 year old painter and sketchbook artist based in Long Beach, CA. I grew up in the town of Manteca, California. Throughout school, I was always trying to keep up with my peers by taking multiple science and math classes even though I struggled tremendously in them. I thought that going down a STEM path was the only way to have a successful life. Going in to my junior year of high school, I was placed in an Intro to Art class. This class was my 5th choice for an elective and I had no intention of actually trying very hard, but it was in this classroom that I would ultimately change my career path and find my life's purpose. As soon as I started working on the first project, I immediately fell in love with drawing. My art class was the only place where I felt comfortable to share my ideas and could create anything I wanted. Going in to my senior year, I would constantly carry around my sketchbook and new pieces that I was working on. When my teacher submitted my work for the school district art show, I won second place in all of the school district and it was at that moment that I knew I had to be an artist. 

After graduating high school, I moved to Fullerton, CA to attend California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). I began painting celebrity portraits during the pandemic and although I was making quick money with commissions, I didn't feel fulfilled and felt that the artwork never really represented me. I was struggling to find my artistic style and I no longer created art for myself. I quickly started to resent my artwork, the one thing that I genuinely loved doing. It wasn't until my last year of school that I realized my own thoughts and experiences were meant to be displayed through my art. Throughout my time at CSUF, I learned who I was as a person and as an artist. In 2023, I graduated from CSUF with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design.

On top of pursuing my visual art career, I am currently the graphic designer for the Brett Fonfa Foundation (BFF). The BFF gives underrepresented visual artists in the Los Angeles area the opportunity to exhibit their art and provide resources to artists and students of all backgrounds. 

I create artwork to help humanity connect back to nature. I believe that nature is extremely vital to our physical and mental well-being. People get so caught up with the stress and anxieties of daily life that we start to neglect not only ourselves, but our values too. The planet gives us so much beauty and natural resources that we would cease to exist without it. My artwork depicts all aspects of nature from landscapes to animals to humanity's own connection to nature. I want my audiences to reconnect themselves back to nature not only to heal themselves, but to understand how vital it is that we heal our planet.

I am fortunate enough to have exhibited my artwork in multiple group shows across the US including Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. I have also created my first mural for the city of Long Beach, CA showcasing diversity through nature. Through symbolism, vibrant colors, and flora and fauna elements, I hope that my audiences are not only able to see themselves and connect with my art, but also reconnect back with the planet.