We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Adlawan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexandra, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up, I have always love to draw and make up stories. I carried a Composition note everywhere I went, writing and sketching out story ideas. A Composition notebook wasn’t the best sketchbook is terms of quality, but I had my own way of doing things. After high school I attended a professional art and animation school for students on the Autism Spectrum. I learned how to do animation and I was good at it, but I later decided that writing stories was my passion and therefore transitioned to writing my children’s book series, The Adventures Of Maddie And Albert. Since then I have written four books in the series and each have been awarded the Golden Wizard book prize.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It was in late 2017 that my father challenged me to actually finish just one of the many story ideas going on inside my head. It has always been a dream of mine to hold in my hands a book that I had written and illustrated. When I think back now at that moment, it was a challenge that had to be made. Today I am a published author and after holding my first book in my hands, I was truly inspired to do more and knew deep down that “Wild Imagination: The Adventures of Maddie and Albert” was the first of many books to come.
I would never have believed that this would have been possible many years ago while struggling to find myself. With the help of many people, my parents, sister, mentor, and many heroes that I have encountered on this ongoing journey, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my story through my books.
My stories are not only about Maddie and Albert with their dog Houdini, who are hilarious if I should say so myself, it is about us, we who are on the Spectrum sharing our marketable talents with the world. Competing directly with all the talented people in the world regardless of their situation. Everyone in our Autism community has a talent, all who support the Autism community are responsible in helping each one of us find our talent to share with the world. Let us be Inclusive.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Long Beach, California and Long Beach has everything one needs when visiting. In addition to the obvious beach activities, there are awesome restaurants, museums, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the every easy Long Beach International Airport.
Long Beach is also in between Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give special thanks to my mentor, teacher, and good friend Tawd Dorenfeld of Tink Tank Animate. Tawd was and is the person who is always there for me when I am stuck mentally and creatively.
I am very thankful for his presence.
Website: www.amazingartists.online
Instagram: alexandra_adlawan
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-adlawan-bb65b020b/
Twitter: @Alex_Adlawan
Facebook: AlexandraAdlawanArtist
