Today we’d like to introduce you to Alice Tang.
Hi Alice, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ever since I was a child, art has been a central part of my life. You could find my doodles and drawings all over the house, especially in the living room, where scattered papers featuring countless characters often covered the coffee table and the pristine white wall. I would spend nights hunched over my desk, drawing to my heart’s content until the first light of dawn crept through the window.
As the youngest in my family, I was surrounded by older relatives with a wide range of tastes and interests—from Sailor Moon to Junji Ito, C-pop, J-Pop and K-pop idols to video games, and fiction novels to comic books. I was deeply influenced by all of them, and they continue to be a wellspring of inspiration for my art.
For a long time, I dreamed of pursuing art as a career. However, the financial reality of attending a four-year art school forced me to take a different path, so I decided to study computer science at a community college. Art became something I quietly cherished in my spare time—always in the back of my mind, but never at the forefront.
It wasn’t until a few years later that I had a realization: art is what truly speaks to me. It’s what I’m most passionate about. I want to create characters and bring their interactions to life, just like the artists I admire. That dream has stayed with me, and now, I’m fully committed to it. I’m dedicating myself to practicing and perfecting my craft because this is what I want to do with my life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a bumpy road, especially since I started later than many others. Even though I’ve always dabbled in art, I often felt like I was constantly playing catch-up. The hardest part has been staying focused on developing my skills—life kept throwing curveballs, making it challenging to dedicate consistent time to practice.
A few years ago, while I was still knee-deep in coding, I lost someone incredibly dear to me. The grief hit hard and took a serious toll on my mental health. But through that pain, I came to a powerful realization: art isn’t just a hobby—it’s my emotional outlet, my way of healing. Still, it took a long time to find the courage to pick up the pen again.
Alongside the grief, I wrestled with self-doubt. Am I improving? Am I really ready? Those questions still echo in the back of my mind. But despite the uncertainty, one thing remains clear: art brings me genuine happiness. And as long as I’m alive, I’ll keep creating—and I’ll keep growing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Ever since I was young, I’ve loved imagining different characters living in the grand fantasy world I created in my mind—what they would wear, how they’d interact with others, and the kinds of adventures they’d embark on. These ideas live rent-free in my head, like a personal haven I can always escape to.
I’m especially drawn to dark fantasy, gothic romance, myths from around the world—particularly Norse mythology—and the eerie allure of cosmic horror, like the Cthulhu Mythos. I try to weave all of these inspirations into my work.
My dream is to bring this haven to life and share it with others, in the hope that they’ll find something to connect with—maybe even a little peace—just like I do.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Growing up, I was always the active kid at school—sprinting across the field, playing tag with friends. But the moment I stepped outside of school, I transformed into the biggest bookworm you’d ever meet. I devoured series like Harry Potter, Inkheart, The Hunger Games, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and more. I even read the entire Lord of the Rings series and The Hobbit while in elementary school!
Reading became both my best friend and greatest mentor. These beautifully written books were endless sources of inspiration. Out of all the series I’ve read, Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings stand out as my main influences—their richly developed magical worlds continue to amaze me, and the complexity of the characters and their relationships are what I aspire to create in my work.
Music has also been a major part of my life. I began playing both piano and violin at the age of five, which opened the door to the world of classical music. Beethoven, Chopin, Vivaldi, and Mozart were the soundtrack of my childhood.
Thanks to these influences, my creative work now explores the depth of human emotions, set in worlds filled with magic and mystery. And with my work, I strive to take viewers on an unforgettable journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ambrosespada.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambrosespada/
Image Credits
Growing up, I was always the active kid at school—sprinting across the field, playing tag with friends. But the moment I stepped outside of school, I transformed into the biggest bookworm you’d ever meet. I devoured series like Harry Potter, Inkheart, The Hunger Games, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and more. I even read the entire Lord of the Rings series and The Hobbit while in elementary school!
Reading became both my best friend and greatest mentor. These beautifully written books were endless sources of inspiration. Out of all the series I’ve read, Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings stand out as my main influences—their richly developed magical worlds continue to amaze me, and the complexity of the characters and their relationships are what I aspire to create in my work.
Music has also been a major part of my life. I began playing both piano and violin at the age of five, which opened the door to the world of classical music. Beethoven, Chopin, Vivaldi, and Mozart were the soundtrack of my childhood.
Thanks to these influences, my creative work now explores the depth of human emotions, set in worlds filled with magic and mystery. And with my work, I strive to take viewers on an unforgettable journey.
