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.

Most people know me as an artist, illustrator, and author only. But long before many people discovered my artwork, I was helping nonprofits secure funding, design programs, and build stronger organizations through grant writing and strategic consulting. In this episode, I share why I rarely talk about this side of my work, the grant writing and consulting services I offer, and how storytelling has become the common thread connecting both my art and my consulting practice. We also explore how grants are about far more than funding; They’re about helping communities turn ideas into opportunities, resources, and lasting impact. If you’ve ever wondered what I do behind the scenes or how creativity and philanthropy intersect, this episode offers a closer look into that journey.

In this Immigrant Heritage Month episode, I reflect on the journey of writing and illustrating Clarita Migrates North and the unexpected impact the book has had over the past 10 months. I share stories from school visits, community readings, and conversations with families who saw their own migration experiences reflected in Clarita’s story. We explore the power of representation, storytelling, and what happens when children finally see themselves in the books they read.

In this episode, I open up about the beginning stages of creating my second children’s picture book and why this project feels deeply personal to me. Unlike past projects, I’m sharing this story while it’s still unfolding, including the uncertainty, the emotional exploration, and the creative process behind it.

I reflect on how creating and sharing Clarita Migrates North transformed me as an artist and storyteller, especially after witnessing how deeply children, families, and communities connected with seeing themselves represented in literature. That experience pushed me to continue exploring children’s books as spaces for belonging, healing, and reflection.

This new story centers around a child who feels different. This book can be a great way to talk about explores themes of identity, culture, language, neurodivergence, and existing between worlds. I talk about the emotional inspiration behind the imagery of stars, why the feeling of being “out of place” resonates with so many people, and the importance of creating stories that remind children they do not have to erase parts of themselves in order to belong.

I also share a moving comment that deeply affirmed why I’m creating this book and why representation in children’s literature matters so much.

Thank you for listening and supporting this journey. This podcast is sponsored by Antonio Alanís Art and made possible through the support of my children’s picture book, Clarita Migrates North. Every book purchase, share, and recommendation helps continue this work and the creation of stories centered on culture, identity, and belonging.

To support my work, head out to antonioalanisart.com/books

In this episode I want to talk about the importance of documentign our work as we go when applying to art grants.

Returning to Mexico always stirs so many emotions for me. I get engulfed in memories, sensations, and stories that live deep within me. Many turns feel like rediscovering a piece of myself that I left behind, a reminder of where my roots run deepest. In this video, I want to share something very personal: a love letter I wrote to this beautiful country, to its people, to its music and landscapes that continue to shape who I am.

Since publishing Clarita Migrates North, I’ve been drawn to explore more of my identity and migration story through writing. I’m finding out that each visit to Mexico opens new doors, unveiling histories and emotions I didn’t know I had or forgot I had. This love letter is a small reflection of that journey, a quiet moment between me and the place that continues to teach me who I am.