In this episode of the Antonio Alanís Art Podcast, I’m sharing a little bit about everything happening in my creative life as we enter Hispanic Heritage Month 2026. I talk about Brown & Blooming, an upcoming Durham art exhibition exploring culture, identity, creativity, belonging, and what it means to continue growing through adversity. I also share the excitement of publishing my second children’s picture book, Tony Paints Stars, a story about creativity, feeling different, and finding the confidence to shine in your own way. And finally, I talk about what’s ahead for Hispanic Heritage Month, including bringing both Tony Paints Stars and my debut picture book, Clarita Migrates North, to upcoming community events and the Cervantino Bilingual Book Fair in Raleigh. This episode is a reflection on a very busy season of creating, publishing, exhibiting, and continuing to build a life through art and storytelling.

What if the thing that makes you different is actually your greatest strength?

As a child, Tony loved painting stars.

While other kids played sports, he filled sketchbooks with galaxies, comets, and constellations. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever find someone who loved the same things he did. He was called "too quiet" and "too weird," but he never stopped creating.

Then his mom shared a simple reminder that stayed with him forever:

"We all come from stars."

Little by little, Tony discovered that when he had the courage to share what made him different, he gave others permission to do the same. His art became a way to build connection, celebrate creativity, and remind everyone that there is beauty in being yourself.

Tony Paints Stars is a bilingual children's picture book about creativity, belonging, confidence, and finding your people. It's a story for every child who has ever felt different, dreamed big, or wondered where they belong.

Coming soon!

If you've ever felt different…
If you've ever searched for your place in the world…
I wrote this book for you.

Follow along for updates, behind-the-scenes artwork, and the book release.

Creating art is only part of being an artist. In this episode, we dive into the invisible skills behind a sustainable creative life, from finding our internal why, entrepreneurship and community to boundaries, rest, and long-term thinking. Whether you're just beginning your creative journey or trying to rediscover why you started, this conversation offers a different way of thinking about what it means to thrive as an artist.