^{ARTIST SPOTLIGHT}

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR CONNECTION TO OPTIMISM.

My name is Alex Roman Jr. and I go by the name DONKEEBOY. I am an artist who loves to work with the community, and I believe in the positive impact of art. 

HOW IS THIS REFLECTED IN THE DESIGN YOU CREATED FOR US?

The design I created represents unity amongst people from all walks of life.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START CREATING ART? WHAT WAS THE CATALYST?

I remember beginning my art journey at the age of seven, but it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I began to take art more seriously. When my brother Eric passed, it taught me to stop waiting around to do the thing I most love to do. It was a wake-up call to chase my dream and actively work towards it. 

DO YOU USE ART TO WORK THROUGH CHALLENGES AND/OR SETBACKS? HOW DO YOU DO THAT? 

These days, I create art often and see it as a way of life. But it has definitely gotten me through some humps—spending time on my art has helped me to focus on the good that life has to offer.

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR UNIQUE PERSONAL STYLE?

Working towards discovering my personal style was a long and frustrating task. I finally found that I enjoy making art that’s inspired by my surroundings, whether it’s music or cartoons that I grew up on. Anything that has made some sort of impression on my life is what I enjoy painting the most. 

WHAT FEELING DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE YOUR ART?

If I can make someone feel anything with my art, that’s already a win. I would love for my art to strike up a conversation.

DO YOU EVER GET “ARTIST’S BLOCK”? HOW DO YOU REDISCOVER YOUR CREATIVITY WHEN YOU’RE FEELING STUCK?

From time to time I do, but now I view it as part of the creative process. I listen to music, play my guitar, and hang out with people to see what conversations may strike up a new idea.