Alika: Artist of the Month-March 2026

As part of our mission to support local artists, we've created the title “Artist of the Month”. This blog is dedicated to the very first creative to receive that designation: Alika.

As a resident of Orangevale who has several notable public artworks in and around this area, she was an easy first choice. I first came across her work at the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm, where she's installed two murals. I soon came to realize that she is arguably Orangevale's most prolific muralist. 

We here at OVFO Arts are working to catalog all of her publicly viewable artworks in our Community Art Map, and will be updating that very soon. We’ve had a couple opportunities to chat with her in person, and she was very open to sharing her story and perspective with us.

Please enjoy our interview with Alika!

OVFO Arts: How did you first get started in your medium, and what was the first thing you ever created that made you feel like an "artist"?

Alika: I first started out drawing with charcoal pencils. I was on light duty at my job and I began doodling to keep my mind busy. I didn't know it at the time, but in a way, it was a tool I was using to heal parts of me I didn't know were broken. I scribbled silly animal caricatures for my co-workers. Everyone smiled and told me they loved the art. I didn't know I had that gift, but it was everyone's response to my drawings that made me believe I might have a hidden talent. So, while I was recovering from severe injuries, I practiced to keep my mind busy and engaged in creating. I posted my artwork all the time as a way of sharing, but I also enjoyed the attention I received by sharing my art. The first time I ever truly felt I had created a piece that made me feel like a "real" artist, was a soft pastel drawing that I submitted to the California State Fair Fine art competition and was accepted. I received an award of merit for that artwork. It was such a big deal to me to be accepted into the Fine art show at the state fair that it gave me the confidence to keep trying to create better and better art.

OVFO Arts: What is your specific connection to the Orangevale/Fair Oaks area, and how does this community impact your work?

Alika: Orangevale is my home community. I've lived here for almost 12 years. The community took me in and gave me platforms to showcase my art. I raised my daughter in the schools here, and I have made many friends here. The people of this community are beautiful people and I am grateful to call this town my home.

OVFO Arts: Walk us through your workflow, from that initial spark of an idea to the final product.

Alika: This is a challenging question to answer. I usually look at a space first, get a vibe for the person I am creating for, and then decide on a very basic design concept. I tend to create better murals if I don't have to stick to a rigid plan set up in advance. I say a prayer and then mostly free-hand all my murals. Occasionally I will draw up a mock up drawing in advance. Creating on the spot does require an intense amount of brain energy and I can easily become overwhelmed if I don't pace myself. Tapping into source to create the flow is usually when my best work emerges.

OVFO Arts: Who are the creators (artists, musicians, or even thinkers) who have shaped your perspective the most?

Alika: First, my dad. He was an incredible musician. His love permeates everything I do. All of the creators have a light that guides us back to the truth that behind the facade of the characters we play is a deeper love, a truth that we are all created in an image of God. We were made like God, with a love to create. So, in a way, all of the creators have shaped my perspective.

OVFO Arts: Where can people go to see more of your work, follow your progress, or purchase your pieces?

Alika: @alikasattic on Instagram

OVFO Arts: If you had to explain your art to someone who couldn't see it, what smells or sounds would you use to describe the feeling of your work?

Alika: Sunshine, fresh cut grass, and ocean waves

OVFO Arts: What is the most unusual or "non-art" tool in your studio/arsenal that you find yourself using all the time? 

Alika: My mountain bike and my dog. Getting out in nature is the best tool to bring inspiration.

OVFO Arts: Can you tell us about a time a project went "wrong" but ended up revealing a "moment of wonder" you hadn't planned for?

Alika: I was asked to paint a giant wall to look like a rock climbing wall. I had no experience in painting large walls at the time. I took the job with no idea how to create what was asked of me and they didn't want spray paint. I chose to use tiny brushes and sponges to create a realistic rock wall. It took so long I almost gave up. It came out pretty amazing at the end and I have no idea how I managed to pull it off.

OVFO Arts: If you were forced to collaborate with someone from a completely different field—like a nuclear physicist or a professional chef; what kind of hybrid project would you want to build with them?

Alika: This question opens up a lot of avenues for lines of thinking, but I suppose I would want to create a light frequency that made humans into superhumans with magical healing powers and incredible athletic abilities.

OVFO Arts: If you were given a "blank check" and total creative freedom to install one piece of public art anywhere in Orangevale or Fair Oaks, what would it be and where would it go?

Alika: I would create a nature park for kids loaded with splash pads, bike jumps, jungle gyms, a ninja warrior course, a rock wall, in ground trampolines, a theater, an outdoor dining area with several healthy options on the menu, a covered outdoor gym, a garden, a covered art studio, and a sports area. It would be filled with creations from all the people of the community. It would be free to go there, and everyone would just be happy.

We asked Alika if she had anything to add that we hadn’t covered, or if she had a specific message to share with our community. This was her answer:

Alika: Create what you WANT to see in your world. When you create from a space of love, that love will return back to you.