Written by Mia Tandingan
What if I told you that you’re already an artist—just by making breakfast?
Think about it: when you decide what to cook with the random ingredients in your fridge, you’re solving a little puzzle. When you pick an outfit, choose a playlist, or figure out how to make something work with what you already have…you’re creating. It’s not just painting or drawing. It’s a way of thinking, a way of living. You don’t need to be “artsy” to be creative. Every small decision—what to wear, how to style your hair, what to cook for dinner—is a form of problem-solving. That’s creativity. It’s something we all do, every single day.
This is exactly how Alessandra Lanot sees the world: full of little chances to create. Her life begins after breakfast, her favorite (and most important) meal of the day. Alessa is a surface pattern designer, a watercolor artist, and a maker of handmade watercolor tools.
Her business, Life After Breakfast PH, is a creative studio that encourages everyday creativity with handmade art tools, fun workshops, and beautiful paper and printed products. Since starting in 2011, it has become her personal space to share craft experiments, favorite tools, and her creative journey.
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Meet Alessa: Artist, Designer, and Arroz Caldo Enthusiast 🎨🥣
For Alessa, creativity isn’t just work, it’s a way of living. “I can’t remember a life that didn’t involve art tools or materials,” she says.
From childhood, art was more than a hobby; it was her comfort zone, her playtime, and even her love language. Whether it was collecting craft kits, asking Santa for paper and pens, or wandering the aisles of a stationery store, Alessa’s world has always been filled with color and texture.
Where it All Began~
Alessa’s journey as an artist started with something close to home—her younger sister. “She wanted to learn art, and my mom told me, ‘You have so many art materials, why don’t you teach her?’” So Alessa did. She created a simple summer art module using the supplies she had on hand. But as she looked at what she made, she saw something bigger. “I thought, hey, this is actually a good module. Why not invite the neighborhood kids?”
She made flyers, got her cousins involved, and launched her own summer art program at just 17 years old. What began as a way to teach her sister soon grew into a mobile arts and crafts workshop for kids that she ran for eight years, even while studying at university. From that point on, art became more than just a passion. It became a part of her rhythm.
After her studies, she pursued graphic design, mostly for print, but she never let go of making things by hand. “I always had art on the side,” she shares. “I realized how important it was to me especially when I started doing surface pattern designs. That process always starts with mindful playtime. [...] It’s art made for myself, with myself.” Art is both routine and ritual. It’s how she slows down, expresses herself, and connects with others.
And of course, it all starts after breakfast.
So, what fuels this creative life?
Alessa’s go-to morning breakfast favorite is a warm, comforting bowl of arroz caldo. “I know it’s not traditionally a breakfast dish for most people, but for me, I love it because it’s so comforting. I love it with lots of ginger, fried garlic, toasted onions, and vegan toppings like soy tofu or garlic mushrooms.” When mornings are rushed, she’ll have avocado or cashew cheese on toast, but when there’s time to sit and enjoy, it’s arroz caldo every time.
Canvas in Every Corner
For Alessa, creativity doesn’t end when she leaves the studio. Whether she’s in a quiet garden, at home, or teaching a workshop in a new city, every place becomes part of her process.
“I love breaking down the creative process and sharing it with my students or the people I teach.” She says. From provinces across the Philippines to countries around the world, Alessa finds inspiration not just in landscapes, but in the energy of the place itself. “I’m always mindful of what’s around me. Even if it’s just a meal I had or whatever is around me, I try to notice those things. There’s always this kind of energy exchange happening when I’m somewhere new.”
She captures those small, meaningful moments in her watercolor or travel journals. It’s not about how grand the place is, it’s about being present. “Art is my way of grounding myself. Wherever I am, creating helps me slow down and really be there.”
For a time, she thought her art had to explicitly represent her Filipino identity, like painting native flowers or traditional elements. But then came a shift in perspective: “I realized, I am Filipino. Whatever I make will carry that. It’s just a matter of documenting wherever it is I am at the moment.
That’s what Alessa’s work focuses on. She creates with purpose, stays present, and lets each place and moment shape her art.
The Fear of a Blank Canvas Turns Into Creative Courage
Teaching watercolor workshops is more than just painting for Alessa. It’s about helping people discover their own bravery. “I always love seeing students go from feeling like they can’t create anything, to making something they actually like,” she explains. “That moment when they feel proud of their work…that’s the best part of teaching.”
For many, the blank page or empty canvas is intimidating, but through art, Alessa helps her students practice courage with one brushstroke at a time. “Each stroke is a decision—where to place it, how much color, how much water—and seeing how those choices shape your work is empowering.”
Recently, she taught a private workshop for a family where more than half the participants were kids. One parent told her, “I’ve never seen these kids so quiet and calm.” That calm is exactly why Alessa loves teachings. Painting quiets the mind and body, pulling people away from distractions and into a peaceful, focused state.
Of course, the kids aren’t always quiet. “They’re lively, they love sharing their work and stories,” Alessa laughs. But the rare moments of silence are special. In a world full of screens and gadgets, she treasures the chance to help kids (and adults) step away from technology and create something with their hands. Alessa mentions how most of her classes are for adults now, but it’s amazing for her to see them take a break from everyday life and connect with their creativity in a hands-on way. In today’s digital world, moving your hands to make something real is a gift.
Creativity That Fits in Your Bag: Life After Breakfast x Kurated Kultura
We had the joy of collaborating with Alessa on one of her signature products: the Travel Watercolor Kit. Designed for artists on the go, it’s compact, handmade, and thoughtfully crafted to inspire creativity anywhere, anytime.
“The smaller it is, the easier it is to pack and unpack,” Alessa explains. “When your tools are travel-sized, you can take them with you everywhere. And whenever creativity strikes, you’re ready. You don’t need to have a huge setup.”
The mindset of making creativity more accessible and less intimidating shapes a lot of Alessa’s work. With artist-grade watercolors, she adds, “you only really need a little bit to paint a lot.” Her concept is simple: always have an art kit in your bag. That way, there’s always an opportunity to make something. “You’ll never be bored when you have that with you,” she says.
This collaboration started at a craft fair. Alexa noticed Alessa’s small, unique watercolor palettes. When they talked, Alexa learned about Life After Breakfast PH and found out Alessa is also Filipina! Alexa asked if Alessa wanted to sell her products in the US. She didn’t buy anything that day, but they stayed in touch. Later, when Alessa was in LA, she sent Alexa some of her art tools.
We Are Meant to Create!
When people hear the word “creative”, they often think of someone who paints, draws, or designs. But for Alessa, creativity isn’t limited to art, it’s how she lives every day.
“Creativity, I would say, is problem-solving,” she explains. “You don’t need to be artistic to be creative. It’s a way of thinking.”
That mindset shows up in the smallest parts of her daily routine. Whether it’s putting together an outfit, choosing what jewelry to wear, or planning a meal with whatever’s left in the fridge, she sees each moment as a creative opportunity. “If I have one piece of eggplant, I’ll ask myself, ‘how can I make this taste good?’ That’s a creative challenge. And I actually enjoy that on a daily basis.”
For Alessa, embracing creativity as a way of life means you stop seeing everything as a problem and start seeing it as a chance to play. “Once you embrace that creative mindset, you realize there’s not just one way of doing things. There’s an abundance of ways to live your life.”
Even our own biology is proof that we’re built to create!! “Our cells regenerate every day. Our hair grows, our nails grow. We’re literally creating just by being alive. So even if you’re not ‘artsy’, you’re still a creative person. You’re generating energy just by moving through the day.
Letting Go of the Pressure to Be Perfect
As Alessa puts it “The first rule is to never judge unfinished artwork.” For her, watercolor has taught her to be patient with the process. “At the beginning, it didn't look good. You start with light, muddy base colors. Then you add shadow, then detail. It’s like putting on makeup. You don’t see the final look until the eyeliner goes on [...]. Same with art. It won’t come together until the very last step.”
That’s why she encourages people to give themselves permission to fail, to start over, to explore. “There’s so much pressure to get it right the first time, especially with social media. But perfection isn’t the goal. In nature, nothing is perfect. There are no straight lines. Everything curves, bends, and grows in its own way. That’s what makes it beautiful.”
“Too Much!” …In the Best Way ☺
There are some words you hear as a kid that stay with you. For Alessa, two of those words were sobra and grabe. “You hear your elders say it—Sobra ka! Grabe ka!—like you’re being too much, too loud, too emotional, too unpredictable,” she explains. “Those words were used to keep us in check. They were weaponized against us.”
But instead of letting those labels define her, Alessa chose to reclaim them through art.
In her October exhibit last year, she created a series called Grabe Ka and Sobra Ka. The centerpiece? Oversized orchids bursting out of their frames. “I called them my sobriyong flowers,” she shares with a smile. “They were literally overflowing. It was my way of saying yes, sobra ako. Sobrang blessed sobrang creative, sobrang full of love. And that’s okay.”
Through her work, Alessa shows that being “too much” can be a good thing—a way to celebrate herself, her culture, and all she brings.
Where Alessa’s Creativity is Taking Her Next
When asked about what’s next on her creative journey, Alessa’s answer is full of passion and focus. “I really want to teach more workshops wherever I can bring them,” she says. Sharing her love for art and creativity is something she’s deeply committed to.
Right now, she’s also busy working on new pieces for her 2026 calendar collection and preparing for several exhibits happening this year. “It’s all about doing the things I love and continuing to document my process,” she explains.
Ready to start your creativity journey? Alessa’s advice is simple: just begin.
“Get a watercolor set. Join a workshop. Like really, it's going to demystify a lot of things that you're scared of when it comes to painting. Just experiment and practice!”
For Alessa, creativity is all about experimenting and enjoying the process. She suggests setting aside time each day for a small, fun project—maybe painting everything you ate for lunch one month or capturing your daily outfits. “Find a creative challenge that inspires you and feels playful. That’s how you learn brush control and get comfortable with your materials without pressure.”
She started by painting her favorite typefaces, mixing her love for graphic design with watercolor play. “It was how I learned what brushes to use, what colors to mix, and what paper works best. It’s all about exploration and having fun.”
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If you’re ready to explore your own creativity, Alessa’s travel watercolor set is the perfect place to start. Portable, thoughtfully designed, and made for artists at any level, it’s a tool to help you turn everyday moments into colorful works of art right after breakfast or anywhere your day takes you. 🤎
Support Alessa by following her on Instagram: @lifeafterbreakfastph
Check out her website!
and…
Check out her products!
