Meet Alla Karasik | Artist, Designer, Creative

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

Hi Alla, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, and my love for creativity led me to a career in fashion design. I’ve always been passionate about fashion, and I wanted to infuse my creativity into that world. Working in CAD became a big part of my career, and as my life and work evolved, drawing took a bit of a backseat.

Then, in 2018, I found myself picking up the pencil again, freehand drawing silly characters with fun, expressive faces—my go-to since I was a kid. It was incredibly rewarding to step away from the computer and reconnect with drawing. As I started to see how I could weave together all the skills I’d honed over the years in CAD and fashion into my new art, something truly ignited in me. I hadn’t felt that much joy and passion for creating in a long time, and I knew I had to follow those threads to see where they would lead. And I’m so glad I did.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A few years ago, when I started practicing meditation and breathwork, something new awakened in me—a childlike wonder I hadn’t felt in years. This shift transformed how I approached my art, opening up new creative avenues. I rediscovered the joy of drawing, making it a daily habit that brought calm and happiness back into my life.

When the world went into lockdown, I was deeply immersed in my art practice, grateful for the peace it brought me during such a challenging time. It was in those quiet months that O was born. One afternoon, an image of a Russian toy that wobbled but never fell kept replaying in my mind, reminding me of my own resilience. I knew I had to draw it, but in my own unique way.

I see O as a chameleon, navigating the world while inhabiting a magical inner realm. Creating art with O allows me to express feelings that words often can’t capture, and it brings me immense joy to share these creations with others, knowing they might resonate on a deeper level. Exploring who O is and where she belongs has sparked a new sense of discovery in my life, filling me with excitement and purpose.

Since creating artwork with O was a bit of a happy accident, every opportunity to share her with the world has felt magical. It’s taken time and effort to get my work out there, and I’m so grateful to my community of fellow artists for their encouragement and support. Community is such a big part of being an artist; being able to reach out to someone to brainstorm ideas or get a pep talk when I’m feeling unsure is so important. The people I’ve met on this journey have added so much richness and joy to my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were to take my friends on a tour of NYC, we’d definitely have an amazing time! I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to architecture, so I’d kick things off by showing them some of my favorite buildings, like Alwyn Court on W. 58th Street, the iconic Empire State Building, and the stunning structures along the High Line. And I can’t forget the charming colonial houses in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn—they’re a true hidden gem.

When the weather’s warm, a stroll along the Coney Island boardwalk is an absolute must. In the winter, we’d swap that for some fun at the rink and the pop-up market at Bryant Park—it’s such a cozy vibe.

Of course, eating our way through the city is a top priority. I’d take them to Koreatown for some delicious dishes, swing by Arthur Ave for the best Italian food, and then enjoy some hearty Russian fare in Brooklyn.

No trip to NYC would be complete without a museum crawl! MOMA, Whitney Museum of American Art, and The Rubin Museum of Art are my favorites.

To wrap up our adventure, we’d head to the Lower East Side for some classic NYC eats and take a stroll through Freemans Alley—it’s the perfect way to end a fun-filled day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! A big thank you to my family and friends across many states who have been cheering me on every step of the way, even when I took detours along the way. Their encouragement means the world to me. I also want to give a special mention to my friend Paul Edwards, a fellow artist and designer who is not only a great friend but also a mentor to me when I was starting out in my fashion career in New York. His guidance and support were invaluable.

I’m also incredibly grateful to my NY & NJ group of artists who are always so generous in sharing information and knowledge—we truly lift each other up. And, of course, my daughter Olivia, whose nickname “O” inspired the name of my character. Lastly, I want to acknowledge the book “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin, which has been a constant source of inspiration and will forever be a touchstone in my creative journey.

Website: https://allakart.com/

Instagram: @allak_art

Twitter: @allak_art

Facebook: @allak_art

Image Credits
Photo Credit- Max Bon & Ian M. Toress