Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Alim.
Hi Joseph, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I began drawing at a young age, maybe around four. And I remember winning a contest in elementary school. The prize was a journal with Tweety Bird from Looney Tunes on the front page. From then on, I would draw more often. My art drawings consisted of cartoons, and later random comic books I would staple together to create a comedic story were part of my routine during elementary school. It was a way to pass the time, and it was fun to create these made-up characters on paper.
Music is my other love which I discovered back in high school. Some friends and I were recording freestyle rhyming words from the top of our heads. I was going up against another guy in a rap battle, and I ended up winning. It was my first time doing it, and I felt alive. It was a triumphant blissful feeling. My friends encouraged me to write raps and record them to make songs. I took their advice, and I am still making music today. I do it for fun, which has helped me mentally over the years. Letting out emotions and bottled-up feelings on paper is therapeutic. I cannot stress it enough. So, drawing and writing on paper have both been talents that have helped me become who I am today.
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?
My biggest obstacle has been me. My procrastination and unbelief have hindered me in the past. I had low self-esteem growing up because of the circumstances of where I came from. Being raised by a single mother and having no money does something to a kid. It makes you doubt things are possible for you. Fresh into adulthood, I have learned confidence is a skill that must be perfected daily. It does not matter where you came from or what happened to you. Only you can transform your life and take responsibility for making things happen for you. We all have a cross to bear in our lives. Confidence comes from repetition and mastery.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as an anti-money laundering analyst for a bank. As far as what I specialize in, that would be digital art, music recording, and video editing. I am known for making alternative hip-hop music and for my art. I am proud of my progress in music quality and the digital art projects I brought to life. What sets me apart from others is my art style, specifically what I draw. I have created a logo, “Fé,” which means faith in Spanish. And it also spells out “Fly élan.” “Fly“ means stylish, and “élan” is a French word that means “to dart.” Someone with “elan” can be said to dart around with enthusiasm and a unique flair. Music or art can have elan, and so can someone’s wardrobe. It all ties together perfectly because I create art and music. It is also both a phrase and an acronym. This “Fé” logo is used in most of my art pieces. I plan to start a t-shirt business using my graphic art as the prints on the shirts.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me most is doing something I truly enjoy. This life is borrowed, and one day, I will have to give it back to the Creator. I want to spend the short time I have here creating content and art that makes people go “wow.” Art and music can inspire people and possibly help them become better. We all need each other. No one is self-made. Community is essential for our overall being, and the chance to network and introduce fresh ideas into the world is significant. Humans are social creatures; we were meant to grow together, learn from each other, and help those who need it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Thealimcollection
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealimcollection
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyUAhFzarRQhBY6P5lpb6nA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/josephalim
- Other: https://opensea.io/Rocketman9o4
Image Credits
Credit: Joseph Alim
