Today we’d like to introduce you to Alissa DeCoteau.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was young, I always enjoyed art. I would say high school was when I really fell in love with it and how it made me feel… how it could make others feel. I had an incredible and knowledgeable teacher (shoutout Mrs. Lambert) that really inspired me to keep creating. I felt like I was pretty good, but never a student of “realism” and mostly doodled or created more abstract designs.
In 2011, I began to explore my own spirituality and discovered the incredible world of Sacred Geometry. How everything we know is built off of this simple pattern and how that pattern can be used in art. I started to create mandalas and found they were my “thing”.
Fast forward to 2017, I followed a girl on Instagram who wood-burned mandalas and I was like “I have to try that”. That changed everything for me. Wood-burning is something that requires an immense amount of patience. It cannot be rushed and there is something about working directly with a tree that feels so special to me. I truly love wood. I’ve basically only wood-burned since with a few paintings/digital pieces mixed in.
I should also mention I am involved in a VERY niche subculture of a special Japanese wooden toy called Kendama. I work at one of the top companies, Kendama USA based right here in Marietta, and through that I have met so many special people, traveled to places I may have never been, and been given so many cool opportunities.
In 2020, I was asked by a friend, Matt Sweets of Sweets Kendamas, to design something for his own kendama model. I was so honored, not only because it was a friend that I cared about, but because I knew this kendama would be played by people around the world and how cool is that?? I worked with him on the digital design and next thing I knew, I could play it myself.
In 2021, I was approached by a different friend, Matt Rice of Deal With It, and asked to collab on my very own artist model. As in… I designed the entire kendama from the paint to the pattern to the engravings. Probably the peak of my entire kendama and artist career (for now).
I also got to be part of an amazing event that was the first of its kind within kendama. An online art show with auction on the pieces. Hosted by Jake Wiens of Grain Theory. A gathering of artists and their work on display. Such a cool idea!
I pretty much stick to wood-burning custom kendamas for the community, selling a few items here and there online, and creating whatever I can to help build my platform so that I can hopefully inspire someone out there to try something new. 2022 will be a year I focus more on local markets and shows so I can further enmesh myself in the local art community instead of fully building the audience online. I also stream on Twitch as an Affiliate!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, it’s been fairly smooth. I would say my art journey got more serious AFTER a struggle, but I haven’t had many obstacles in my way. I’ve been very blessed actually.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, I would say my specialty is mandala design and I’m known for creating very intricate burns! Kendamas are only about 7″ tall, so to work with such a small canvas and get in the details can be a little challenging.
I am most proud of my artist model kendama. I was able to even incorporate my tribe (Oneida) into the design and honor them in that way. It feels good to know this kendama came fully from me!
The kendama community is 99% males, so what sets me apart is being a female wood-burner. In a community of 10,000+, there is only one of me who burns on a regular basis!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Oh man… I definitely have a few.
Alexa, Zach, Anna.
Jero, Arque, Matt Sweets, Matt Rice, Jake Wiens.
All my kendama wood-burning (and non) friends! <3
Anyone who has ever liked, shared, saved, or purchased anything that I created. Even the kind words matter, truly. Thank you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iissalissa/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/issalissattv
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlissaDeCoteau
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/issalissa
Image Credits:
Jordan Riley Matt Paulsen Matt Rice
