Meet Alaina Dannecker | Artist, Designer, Storyteller

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

Hi Alaina, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
In high school, I thought I needed to choose a practical career like engineering. But taking AP Studio Art made me realize that I would only be truly happy if I got to be creative every day. I went on to study fine art in college, and I loved every part of it — though translating that passion into a full-time career can be challenging.

After college, I taught high school art, which was incredibly rewarding, and then I earned a marketing career certificate and transitioned into graphic design and marketing. In my current role, I get to be creative every day — telling stories, making an impact, and designing meaningful visuals.

I appreciate the stability and mission-driven focus of my 9-to-5, but I will always love fine art and continue creating after hours. For me, art isn’t just a career; it’s a way of thinking, exploring, and connecting that stays with me no matter what professional path I take.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is about exploring the quiet, often overlooked experiences of life — especially those shaped by chronic illness. I work in painting, sculpture, and illustration to give voice to personal stories that are challenging, mundane, or painful, and I’m drawn to finding beauty and meaning in those spaces. What sets my work apart is this focus on honesty, meticulous detail, and creating narratives that connect with people on a personal level. I’m particularly proud of my series Ask Your Doctor About ___ Today, which takes the aesthetics of pharmaceuticals and transforms them into something both visually striking and thought-provoking.

Professionally, my journey hasn’t always been easy. I graduated in 2020 and taught high school art while managing my own health struggles, figuring out what my next step would be. Eventually, I transitioned into graphic design and marketing to build a stable career while still being able to make art. Along the way, I’ve learned that creativity isn’t limited to one medium or path — it’s about curiosity, persistence, and translating your perspective into whatever form makes sense. Volunteering and teaching at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego has also been hugely rewarding, reminding me of the importance of community and shared creative experiences.

What I want the world to know about me and my work is that art is a way of seeing and connecting. Whether through fine art or professional design, I aim to tell stories that matter, spark reflection, and celebrate both the beauty and complexity of life. For me, art is not just a career — it’s a lens through which I experience, process, and engage with the world every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, we’d have a mix of art, adventure, food, and just soaking up the best of San Diego. We’d start in Balboa Park, exploring the art museums, the ICA, and the SDMA, because I love showing off both the classic and contemporary sides of the city’s art scene. Next, we’d hit some local favorites: paddle boarding in Mission Bay, stopping by Children’s Beach to see the sea lions, and checking out the Birch Aquarium. A day trip to Julian for pie is non-negotiable, and we’d definitely go to Torrey Pines to hike and explore the coast.

For meals, we’d start the morning with croissants at Molly’s in Mission Beach, grab coffee at Liberty Station, enjoy brunch in Hillcrest, have quesadillas at Roberto’s in Del Mar for lunch or a casual dinner, and then finish an evening with cocktails at Polite Provisions. A scenic 5K run could be squeezed in anywhere we felt like getting some fresh air and movement. And of course, we’d cap the week with a live show — maybe at the House of Blues’ Voodoo Room or at the Shell — to round out the experience with music and nightlife.

Basically, it would be a mix of art, nature, good food, and little adventures — the kind of experiences that make you feel like you really know San Diego.

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 want to give a shoutout to my professors and mentors at Cal Poly — Laura Krifka, Elizabeth Folk, and Sara Frantz — who helped me find my voice as an artist and encouraged me to explore personal stories, even the challenging ones. I’m also so grateful for my family and friends, who have supported both my creativity and my health journey along the way.

Being part of the local San Diego art community, especially volunteering and teaching at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego, has been incredibly rewarding — it’s inspiring to be part of a community that encourages connection, storytelling, and making art accessible to everyone. All of these people and communities have played a role in helping me pursue a life of art and creative expression.

Website: https://alainadannecker.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alainaartdesign/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-dannecker/