Meet Alyssa Stills | Full-stack Creative Developer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Stills and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, what do you attribute your success to?
A large mental hurdle that I had to overcome when launching my business, RECKLYSS Studios, was the mounting pressure that the success of my business rested solely on me. When I opened myself up to the idea of actually accepting help and realized the many gifts of collaboration, a weight began to lift off of me. I’ve always had a strong network, but I really had to learn to lean into that.

Having a strong support system around me gave me the courage to push through the mental and financial difficulties of getting a small business off the ground. Through continual persistence I finally achieved my lifelong goal of becoming a full-time creative and building my business, RECKLYSS Studios.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Please tell us more about your art.

My primary creative outlets include website design and branding, along with developing mixed media pieces in the form of psychedelic pop art, digital art, and digital ad creative.
You can preview my work at recklyss.com and on my instagram @recklyss.art!

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.

I believe my computer programming background shaped a unique approach to the way I create and design; when working digitally, I meticulously design my creations down to the pixel. I frequently explore techniques in creating a pixel-like effect with acrylic and oil paints, inspired by the pixels I play with in my digital designs. I also think the way I play with neon colors in a psychedelic pop art style is somewhat unique. My art often features creatures I’ve concocted in my mind, or a single subject in maximalist detail.

I’m most proud of the risk I took in moving here to Scottsdale from Dallas, & taking the final steps in starting my dream business. I am excited to explore all the upcoming opportunities that lay in front of me as a new Arizonan!

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

I first began selling drawings to my kindergarten classmates for ice cream truck money in the late 90’s. I remember my mother interrogating me about where I kept getting so many quarters from. In middle school, I began coding web page designs for my friends on Myspace & Xanga. Later in college, I ultimately pursued a niche computer science degree that segued between the engineering and art schools at my university. My degree directly aligns with the types of art and coding that I professionally do now.

Although it may seem like I’m doing exactly what I was always working towards, there were many side roads I took along the way.

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to work for myself & be my own boss one day. Having been an artist since I was young, but unsure of how to pursue that as a full-time career, I initially chose to pursue medicine. Three years into college I realized I would have few artistic outlets in a medical profession. I browsed through my university’s curriculums and came to the conclusion that I could exert my boundless creative energy through design, as a creative software developer. Pursing a programming degree would allow me to eventually earn an income as a creative and artist simultaneously. It was then that I changed my major to Creative Computing at Meadows School of the Arts at SMU, and I finally began my pursuit to work for myself as a full-stack creative developer.

After college I had various social media, marketing, and graphic design jobs. Most of these jobs I worked at near minimum wage, and I worked very long hours. I worked through many weekends, often choosing to sacrifice socializing in order to gain as much experience as I possibly could. It wasn’t all bad though – at one point I got to run social media accounts for a famous actress & her non-for-profit business.

Eventually I earned the opportunity to manage & run three separate startups: the first in outdoor digital advertising, one in hydroponic agriculture, and the last in brand management & marketing for food production entities. These jobs posed the perfect opportunity for me to experience what it’s like to have my hands on the wheel when running a small business! The work experience that I gained in that period of my life was invaluable.

Now I work for myself and sell my artwork at art shows across the country, through my instagram @recklyss.art, and also through my website at recklyss.com.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

1. Stop worrying about the way others are perceiving you and learn to listen to your inner voice.
2. Do one thing a day to heal your inner child; self-care is critical to the success of your business.
3. Be patient and trust the process – don’t let your anxiety guide your creative hand.
4. If you feel like your art piece isn’t “good,” it’s probably just not finished yet. Keep pushing through.
5. To create something meaningful, create something that you would want to buy for yourself.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I’ve put a lot time and effort in developing my art style, which comes directly from my mind’s eye. I’ve spent years learning to tap into my visual mind to craft pieces that reflect my past and present experiences. My art has given me such a great outlet for healing and growth as a person. It feels so satisfying to concentrate on strong feelings, and orchestrating those emotions to breathe life into my creative works. An added benefit to my creative process is the emotional processing I am able to do working so closely with my feelings. I think good art is relatable and emotionally provoking.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a former hydroponic greenhouse manager and self-proclaimed plant lover, my space is so full of plants that I’m known in my complex as the resident “plant lady.” If my best friend were visiting Arizona for the first time, I would first take them to one of my favorite spots, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. I love the cactus markets and the walkthrough butterfly exhibit! My next stop would be a hike on Phoenix Mountain Reserve to pay a visit to some of my favorite cacti and plants. I draw tons of artistic inspiration from nature; I love exploring textures, colors, and shapes in the details of the plants that I find out on my weekly hikes. Lastly I would take them to Quan’tum art in Old Town Scottsdale, where you can always pop by and say hi one of the gallery’s resident artists, John Gleason. John is hilarious and so kind – not to mention an incredibly talented local sculptor!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Alexandra del Sol, (insta @alexandra.delsol) has been an integral part of my success and in getting RECKLYSS Studios launched. She is a business manager for artists and musicians, and is a personal mentor and a best friend of many years. When we first met in kindergarten we were causing constant mischief on the playground, and by college we were furiously brainstorming nonprofit business ideas to help women in need. I can always rely on her to hold me accountable to my goals and have my best interests in mind; whether it be personal or business. She has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and pushes me to go a little bit further than I think I am able to. I look forward to seeing how far we can continue to cheer each other on. Love you girl!

Website: recklyss.com

Instagram: recklyss.art

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssacarolinestills/

Other: Society6 Store: https://society6.com/lazydemon

Image Credits
Alyssa Stills & Taleran Galan, shot on a Sony mirrorless DSLR, 2022-2023