This month I wanted to highlight one of our former adult illustration students who is putting out some amazing work. Here is a little bit more about Alisa in her own words:

In 2019, I started an online search for sewing, fashion, art.

I found The Sewing Room! I would look through the classes and feel super excited thinking when I was going to take a class! Then one day while perusing Jennifer's website, I saw Fashion Illustrating with instructor Julie Ann. "WOW," I thought to myself, "gosh, that's so cool- fashion illustrating!" I cannot express how thrilled I was about this class offering. I felt so lucky to have found this opportunity at The Sewing Room.

I have drawn a few things in my life. When I was 8, I thought I was a little artistic. One day my best friend and I decided to draw a bird. Her bird was realistic, I thought it was just amazing! My bird was well.. silly-looking, laughable. My best friend was very nice, she said she liked my bird. I did not like my bird compared to hers. I decided I was not artistic. Funny, the memories we hold on to.
At 18, I drew a few pieces of clothing (I still have the drawings). I still like the fashion ideas I put into those clothes and accessories. The drawings, of course, lacked proper detail and a sense of realism. In 2016, I did a painting of pro golfer Rickie Fowler, a drawing of my daughter in a drum major competition, a few abstract paintings, and a collage.

I looooove fashion! Clothes, shopping, fabrics, prints, solids, buttons, zippers, pockets, collars, colors, shoes, sneakers, boots, heels, wedges, skirts, blazers, trenchs, tweed, shoes, hair, make up, bare face, fashion photography, walking, strutting, stiches, Project Runway, mannequins, designers, sketches, avant garde, etc.

I do think about making certain pieces of clothing, but I have found a new world because of the classes I took with Julie Ann at the Sewing Room. At this time, my focus is to draw. I love drawing (figures, faces, clothing, scenes from magazines)!

I think my style is naturally evolving. I have a sense of the style of illustrating I would like to end up with, but I am just not there yet, but it is a wonderful journey.

I really cannot thank Julie Ann enough for all the things she has taught me.

Julie Ann has totally opened up a whole new world for me. I never thought I could draw well, let alone draw a person! Under Julie Ann's instruction and guidance, I have learned multiple skills: Not only drawing figures and faces, but drawing them at different angles and positions.; different types of clothing and the different details; adding color to my fashion figures with markers, watercolors, collage; she always offered a variety of choices. I learned many techniques: rendering patterns and fabrics such as houndstooth, boucle, ditzy, floral, lace, patent leather, and many more! I learned about the use of watercolor, mixing colors, paper choice, and so many techniques! Julie Ann has so much art and fashion illustrating knowledge. She was always encouraging and appreciative of others artwork. I have only just touched on a few of the many things I learned from Julie Ann.

Outside of designing and illustrating, I enjoy flower- and fairy-garden design, art, and music appreciation, I am moved deeply by composers Debussy, Satie, and Faure. I play golf, a little tennis. I enjoy spending time with my pug Wilma, but being with my daughter Josephine is my number one favorite thing to do!

By profession, I am a Crown and Bridge Dental Laboratory Technician. I was owner of my own dental lab, 2nd Nature Dental Studio from 1993-2020. I would love to work in the art, design, or fashion industry in any capacity!

See more at @alisa.clements15 and give her a follow. ⠀⠀