Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis St. John.
Hi Alexis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up and went to college on the east coast. I had always wanted to be an artist, but it wasn’t supported by my family, so I got a degree in East Asian Studies. After college, I traveled around a lot. I visited Asia, lived in six states, and spent some years in the Virgin Islands. I wanted to be a full-time artist but wasn’t sure how to go about that. I held many side jobs to support me as I continued to develop my art.
While living in Portland, Oregon, I got up the courage to show my work to a gallery and was accepted for a solo show. It was a mile marker for me. It gave me the confidence to approach more galleries and to look for other ways to support myself through my art. The new confidence also helped me find creative ways to get affordable studio space. My favorite studio was in an abandoned gas station. I converted the auto repair garage to a working space and gallery.
The last place I lived before moving to SoCal was Seattle, Washington. I had a studio in West Seattle in a building dedicated to artists and other creatives. I was showing in several Washington galleries, but I was still not where I wanted to be with my career.
I moved to California during the pandemic to help some relatives downsize and relocate. While taking a road trip to Colorado, I had lots of time to think about where I was in my life and what I wanted to do next. The memory of wanting to go to art school kept coming up. I researched art schools in SoCal and found a program that suited my needs. I applied and was accepted to Claremont Graduate University and started fall of 2022.
I’m half way through the program and loving it. I am surrounded by artists that are committed to improving their work, engaged professors, and courses that support my growth. School is giving me the time and space to create a new body of work. I’m optimistic about my future and looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle has been the fight against my internalized cultural beliefs; that being an artist is not a responsible choice, that it’s a hard life full of struggle and disappointment. Whenever I have been able to throw off this story even for a short while, I have taken risks and they have paid off.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would say I’m mostly a painter. I’ve recently switched from acrylic to oils, which I make from scratch with earth pigments and walnut oil. It’s very satisfying to mix the paint myself. I also like working in clay. I make the glazes using ceramic glaze recipes, then modify them to suit my needs. I see the clay as an extension of my painting, just more dimensional.
What sets me apart is probably my world-building. I’ve been creating a world for decades. I have a language I’m inventing, maps, cultural and historical records, music, poetry, schools of art, etc. Almost all of the artwork I do comes from this world and is influenced by its aesthetics.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t listen to others who tell you you’re going to fail. Listen instead to your inner voice or better yet, your heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: Alexisstjohn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexisstjohn/
