Check Out Alicia Lynn’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Lynn.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a performance artist for the last ten years, my artistic career has opened numerous opportunities for my creativity. I said yes to as many as my schedule would allow!

I’ve been a burlesque and circus performer, a writer, a teacher, a few supervillains, a modern-day go-go dancer, and an event coordinator, and then I also make and sell jewelry. Now, I also sing and play ukulele thanks to lockdown 2020.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Other than surviving 2020, there’s been plenty to overcome along my journey. You can’t be in the performance business without facing rejection. I also danced in a nightclub for almost 7 years, and that got dangerous at times (from drunken patrons brawling to a violent stalker).

It’s a tough industry. Being brown, tattooed, and willing to keep my curves put me into a litany of sticky situations. I was often on my own with my thick skin, the wisdom my parents gave me, and God to get me through. I’m grateful to say I’ve also made some friends who helped soften the blow of some bumps and dark turns along the way.

There’s also me – I can definitely be my own worst enemy. Whether I’m having a rough go of time management, overwhelmed and stress eating, or deep diving into editing (and re-editing) a project or piece of jewelry, I have been known to let that one inner voice ramble on too long telling me I’m not good enough.

Prayer time and study always bring me back into a constructive space. I get reminded of what I’ve survived, and that someone out there needs to hear what I have to say so they know they can survive it, too.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multi-pronged artist.

I perform (singing, dancing, ukulele-playing stilt walker), make jewelry, act in a web series called Heroineburgh, paint, and I also teach the occasional workshop. Everything I do is my favorite. My me-ness is really what makes me unique.

I’m sorry if those answers don’t satisfy you. I’m not the only alt-leaning, Afro-Appalachian, folk-punk, circus traveler, but I’m the only one who does it the way I do.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success means I get to keep working (I have to reach that one person!), and I get to sleep at night having not lost myself or my integrity: Not losing my faith.

Success means I never gave up. It’s not about a particular house or car or a husband and so many children. I have work that I love a wonderful fur family I get to take care of.

My diet is colorful and cruelty-free. God is good all the time, and I am grateful for every success and every opportunity I get to learn. I’m grateful my fridge is stocked, gas is in my car, and I know where I’m going to sleep tonight. Now, if I can get a therapist, woo hoo!

Pricing:

• Booking Fees start at $50 (plus travel fees over 30 miles outside of Pittsburgh).
• Workshops start at $10/person (5 person minimum) per hour.
• Jewelry – Custom orders start at $10 (plus shipping where applicable).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SundaeBestBoutique
• Instagram: @ms.sundae.service
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ms.sundae.service

Image Credits
Jana Lee Macheca, Ted Sikora, Heroineburgh Productions, J Aaron Hager, Alec Bolser, Chris Stohre Photography, Emme Photobooth, and Alicia Lynn