The internet, in all of its beauty and muck, has given young artists like Tyler Mada the ability to engage with a global audience in deeply personal ways. For many creatives, there is irony in nurturing authentic relationships in a virtual space, where face-to-face interaction is absent. But for Mada, the digital space is where she has found her community. Through online world-building, she has cultivated intimate relationships with people who see parts of themselves in her whimsical characters. Whether they tattoo her designs onto their skin or frame them in their homes, Mada’s story is a testament to how creativity itself becomes the bridge between creator and viewer. What started as a way to nurture her inner child has bloomed into a powerful reciprocal exchange, where the inspiration Mada draws from her favorite corners of the internet are met with meaningful connections across the world.
Mada’s creative process is deeply shaped by the media she consumed growing up—90s fashion, Fruits Magazine, and shoujo anime/manga. She channels these influences into her art, infusing her personal experiences of girlhood into her characters. These characters are extensions of herself, but also, through the power of the internet, extensions of her audience. This kind of digital narrative-building highlights the way personal experiences and creativity can echo across vast virtual spaces.
But like every creative’s journey, Mada’s has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. Mada expresses that one of her biggest challenges was when she was denied a spot in the Anime NPC artist alley. Instead of viewing that experience as a definitive closed door, she pivoted and found another way to turn this setback into a lesson of growth. She took a risk, paying three times the price for an exhibitor’s booth in another convention–a decision that opened up new avenues of opportunity and led to meaningful connections. Her ability to pivot and adapt when faced with obstacles is a key lesson for any creative navigating the ups and downs of finding community. “Just because someone says no, doesn’t mean there isn’t another way,” she reflects. “This experience has really pushed me from thinking as just an artist, to someone who is a true business owner with an array of products I produced all on my own.”
Another crucial takeaway from Mada’s journey is the importance of staying connected to your inner child. For her, childhood passions like drawing and creating evolved from hobbies in her youth to avenues of support in her adult life. She emphasizes that nurturing those early interests is what fuels her creativity. “I’ve been enjoying these hobbies for so long that I don’t think it’s something I can shake. These things really shaped me growing and are part of my identity now,” she says. Mada describes creating art as something she can’t help but do—it’s a compulsion. Staying true to that inner child becomes a form of mindfulness, grounding her in a sense of authenticity that’s essential in today’s fast-paced, content-driven world.
Mada’s journey also speaks to the power of community. Surrounding herself with fellow creatives has kept her motivated and accountable, reminding her that art isn’t a solitary pursuit. Mada reflects that “My network of people truly understand the hardships that come with this industry and so the wins are truly celebrated. Having a business is hard, so surround yourself with people that get it”. Having a support system of like-minded people has been crucial in helping her push through the inevitable challenges of being a creative. Yet, she also acknowledges that creating art isn’t alwayPerhaps the most vital lesson from Mada’s story is not to get caught up in external validation. In the age of the internet, where opinions are constantly crowd-sourced and creative work is often shaped by the expectations of others, Mada pushes back against this. "The whole point of creating is to express yourself, and I wasn’t doing that," she reflects. "It took me three years to figure out that I just want to draw for myself and draw what makes me happy." For Mada, the journey toward authentic self-expression involved stripping away the pressures to please others and refocusing on what feeds her inner child and drives her to create.
Her advice to young artists is clear: "Remind yourself that the reason you create art is because it speaks to you and gives you happiness." This internal compass is what guides her work, and she encourages others to do the same. By centering her creative process around what feels true to her, she’s found that the right audience will naturally connect with her art. "I think once you see progress, the traditional pressures start to lift a little bit," she adds. "You’re less concerned about what’s expected of you and what people think because the success you worked for is validation."
For Mada, the lesson is simple but powerful: Embrace your authentic self and create work that resonates with you first. The right people will find your art, and when they do, the connection will be genuine, built not on fleeting approval but on something deeper and more lasting.
In a world full of noise and comparison, Tyler Mada’s journey offers a blueprint for young creatives to follow. Pivot when necessary. Take risks. Nurture your inner child. Find your community, and create for yourself—not for approval. The internet may be a vast, impersonal place, but Mada’s journey is a testament that it also offers a powerful space for connection, cultivating identity, and creativity.s enough. To succeed, especially in today’s saturated creative world, one must be willing to learn extensions of their craft—business, marketing, and networking. Mada’s community of fellow creatives plays a crucial role in her growth, keeping her motivated. Befriending people who share similar struggles, who understand the nuances of creative work and identity, is essential.
Perhaps the most vital lesson from Mada’s story is not to get caught up in external validation. In the age of the internet, where opinions are constantly crowd-sourced and creative work is often shaped by the expectations of others, Mada pushes back against this. "The whole point of creating is to express yourself, and I wasn’t doing that," she reflects. "It took me three years to figure out that I just want to draw for myself and draw what makes me happy." For Mada, the journey toward authentic self-expression involved stripping away the pressures to please others and refocusing on what feeds her inner child and drives her to create.
Her advice to young artists is clear: "Remind yourself that the reason you create art is because it speaks to you and gives you happiness." This internal compass is what guides her work, and she encourages others to do the same. By centering her creative process around what feels true to her, she’s found that the right audience will naturally connect with her art. "I think once you see progress, the traditional pressures start to lift a little bit," she adds. "You’re less concerned about what’s expected of you and what people think because the success you worked for is validation."
For Mada, the lesson is simple but powerful: Embrace your authentic self and create work that resonates with you first. The right people will find your art, and when they do, the connection will be genuine, built not on fleeting approval but on something deeper and more lasting.
In a world full of noise and comparison, Tyler Mada’s journey offers a blueprint for young creatives to follow. Pivot when necessary. Take risks. Nurture your inner child. Find your community, and create for yourself—not for approval. The internet may be a vast, impersonal place, but Mada’s journey is a testament that it also offers a powerful space for connection, cultivating identity, and creativity.
We’d like to thank Mada for sharing her story.
Photo Credit: Tyler Mada
Find Mada on Instagram: @mada.exe
Written by Isabel Lotus