New to Artclectic
“If you asked anyone in my life, they would tell you that creativity is one of the truest things about me,” explains Alicia DaLee. “I've painted for years and studied writing by trade, but because I didn't attend art school, it took me time to fully embrace the identity of being an artist. I've always been captivated by beauty and drawn to the idea of a more balanced, harmonious world. Through painting, I express that hope, creating work that brings a sense of balance, movement, and quiet enthusiasm into the homes and spaces it inhabits.”
Now a working artist for two years, Alicia describes herself as either a vibrant minimalist or subtle maximalist at heart. Her pieces embody a playful refinement.
“I’m drawn to painting as a way of distilling complexity into something grounding, balance is at the root of each piece of work. Through layered mark-making, intentional use of negative space, and an emphasis on harmony, my work aims to invite both reflection and presence. The result is art that carries a quiet energy.”
Believe in yourself. I truly believe that you have to believe in your work wholeheartedly before anyone else will. You will face rejection. You will experience setbacks. Every artist does. Those moments are not signs that you should stop; they are simply part of the process. The most important thing is not to let fear, failure, or rejection keep you from creating. Keep making the work only you can make.
For me, a piece is finished when it feels balanced. It's difficult to describe, but there comes a point when every mark, color, and shape feels like it belongs. The painting stops asking for something more and begins to feel complete. I often compare it to solving a puzzle without knowing what the final image is supposed to be. Throughout the process, I'm responding intuitively to what the work needs. When I reach a point where nothing feels distracting, forced, or unresolved, I know it's finished. It's less of a conscious decision and more of a feeling, a sense of harmony that tells me the painting has become what it was meant to be.
The most inspirational places for me are often the ones that feel visually quiet but emotionally layered, places where light, space, and atmosphere do a lot of the work. I’m especially drawn to environments where there’s a strong sense of balance between nature and structure, or where color and form feel intentional but unforced. An example of this are the colors of Moab and the Western United States.
