What I Never Imagined My First Children’s Picture Book Could Teach Me

How to Build a Sustainable, Financially Thriving Creative Life with Miriam Ximil.

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.

What Kind Of Grant Writing Services Do I Offer? And Why I Don’t Talk About This As Much As My Art?

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.

What I Never Imagined My First Children’s Picture Book Could Teach Me

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.

I'm writing a new children's picture book: A Story About Feeling Different

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

Why Documenting our Work Matters When Applying for Art Grants as a Beginner Artist

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