Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Alfaro.
Hi Jasmine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I recall starting my art profession right after I withdrew from university in 2020. Realizing the academic life was not for me, I hurriedly joined the minimum wage workforce. Though I still felt an empty void of personal fulfillment. Sorting out the bread in the market bakery, I would ask myself, ‘What were the things that brought me unbridled joy?’ or ‘If nothing mattered, what passions would I pursue ferociously and unashamedly?’.
I thought about the cartoons I would watch on my beat-up laptop in middle school. The colorful ponies taught me about friendship in a divorced household that was devoid of love. The exciting battles of mythical creatures, in a strict childhood where fun was a distraction. The video games I would play on my black Nintendo DS were a gateway to late-night joy and giggling under the covers. My young mind would think about how wonderful it would be to make such sources of joy. To make art that would make other kids happy, better than just doodles in lined paper margins.
Though those daydreams were not enough. Coming from a family where the only options to be were ‘doctor, lawyer, engineer’, becoming an artist seemed hopeless. That was the reason why I enrolled in university in the first place. I was a passionate person at heart, but that didn’t matter if there was no profit from it. Making my parents proud was a belief that ultimately drove me to my downward spiral. One that involved hives and horrible anxiety attacks.
I didn’t believe in myself. My best friends did, however.
My two best friends scraped enough of their resources to get me my first iPad, my first Cricut, and my first chance to start something I was so afraid to do. They encouraged me to pursue what made me happy, which was always enough in their eyes. They believed in me from the first day they met me in high school– this scared little girl who never talked about their problems. I still, to this day, cannot fathom how much they changed my life by just believing in me– someone who is not even related by blood.
So now, living in my combination of a bedroom and workspace, I work for my best friends. I work for my loved ones. I work for a young child who didn’t think that making art as a career was possible. Even if it means cutting my little stickers by hand or having sparring matches with a printer that constantly breaks down, I’ll keep going. I get to make my own choices, and that choice is to live passionately and unashamedly.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
1) Struggles to accept myself and my interests
As a little girl, I was expected to fit in a highly academic and neurotypical mold. When I shared my interests in cartoons or video games, not many would resonate, and I was often frowned upon for my passions. What kind of little girl doesn’t know makeup, but knows every single monster in Pokémon White? So often, I would store my interests away and camouflage my attention for what’s popular. The guilt would wash over me every day while I went to school, questioning why I could never just enjoy what the other kids liked.
2) Being self-taught
Once I finally realized that art filled me with joy, the learning curve was my biggest challenge. To achieve a good grasp of art while in my early twenties made me leagues behind my peers. Watching YouTube tutorials, finding quick techniques in art books, practicing day and night– it felt like a never-ending marathon as I compared myself to artists who’ve been doing it since they were born. Hating my work, unsurprisingly, made my progress slower. If I had given myself more love and patience, the art journey would’ve been more enjoyable from the start,
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a proud Mexican-Asian cartoon illustrator, merchandise designer, and small business owner with over 1,000 sales. I specialize in drawing for funny cartoons and inspiring video games, spotlighting their relevance with quality fan merchandise. The most notable series I’ve created for is Smiling Friends, The Amazing Digital Circus, Overwatch, and much more.
One of the instances I’m most proud of in my career is currently being an official merch artist of a fanzine supporting PCRF (Palestine Children’s Relief Fund). Supporting those in need with my specialized art skills has been such an uplifting experience. I’ve been able to experiment with new product ideas and work with a team of equally talented individuals. The charity zine is called The Amazing Digital Zine.
Aspects that set me apart from others include my overt attention to detail. As much as I love to freely express myself through my art, I can’t help thinking about how to make the piece better. Common questions that linger in my mind include ‘Which material would last the longest?’ or ‘Do the colors stand out enough? Are they too muddy? Maybe I should consult some color palettes.'” Practicing caution is a double-edged sword, but has ultimately helped me gauge the best quality for all my art, optimizing and moderating my anxiety.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The characteristic that has been monumental to my journey is never-ending persistence. Yes, talent and skill are important, but the drive to improve triumphs over any asset to a self-made artist. To see myself in the future, sharing my designs with other creative individuals, and building a secure living —would be a dream come true. My success should be built on my persistence, knowledge, and integrity in making my fun art viable in a fast-paced world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://icedaffinity.bigcartel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icedaffinity/
- Twitter: https://x.com/icedaffinity
- Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/IcedAffinity
