Rising Stars: Meet Alyssa Sills of Cleveland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Sills.

Hi Alyssa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started painting during COVID at the end of 2020. It was just a hobby at first, something to do while everything was shut down. I didn’t have any real experience, but the more I painted, the more I realized I had a talent for it. I ended up falling in love with the process.
At the beginning, I was just experimenting. I tried a bunch of different styles, mainly nature, flowers and abstract. I was figuring out what felt right to me. Eventually, I painted a self portrait which I thought was horrible and told myself that painting portraits are not for me. I tried portraits again in 2022, now with monochromatic color, blue. I was surprised at how much I loved it this time around and how natural it felt. I began painting artists (singers) who inspire me, Billie Eilish, Mac Miller, Rosalia, Young Miko and more. I love being able to capture a face on canvas and the challenges it brings.

Now painting feels like such a big part of who I am. It’s not just something I do for fun anymore. It’s something I’m passionate about and always want to grow in.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Painting has been a learning process for sure. I have created art that I thought was absolutely horrible, but it still taught me something. Every time I put my paintbrushes to canvas, there is always something to be learned. I did not have any formal art training nor did I go to school for art, so learning about color theory and mixing colors has been a very interesting journey for me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently in school to finish my degree in Psychology, as well as getting my Master’s in it. I was a teacher/behavior technician for children and teens with Autism for several years before being laid off from Covid. I was grateful for the experience and the relationships I fostered, but finding oil painting has been so fulfilling. I also paint custom pet portraits, so I have had a lot of success in that regard, as well as selling prints of my originals. Another endeavor that I have always had a passion for is writing. In 2024, I completed a life long goal of publishing my first book. ‘Haunted to Healing’ is my poetry book that dives into the emotional landscapes of childhood, relationships, heartbreak, adulthood, and the transformative power of healing.
I am most proud of my art and how I can connect with other artists. My book is also something that gives me pride in being able to be vulnerable and possibly help others who may need my words at that certain time in their life. I hope to make more art and publish more poetry and fiction books in the future.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very inquisitive child. I always wanted to know how things worked, but also WHY they worked that way. I liked to problem solve and innovate. I was also outside all the time and playing in the river behind my house. I loved to connect with nature and I really think it helped me stay grounded from all of the personal family issues, such as my parent’s divorce.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lystheartist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lysthegem/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Healing-Alyssa-Sills/dp/B0DJ9Y4DV1