Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Gonzalez.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Well, I come from a multi-cultural family originally from the East coast. A lot of my experiences and upbringings are the root of how I think and the way I see the world, which connects to how I make my art. One side of my family is Dominican and another is Puerto Rican, but I was really close to my childhood friends, today I call them my family and one of them I even call my sister, and they were Punjabi. There was so much color and culture in my surroundings, but I never got to see that in media or art that I was surrounded by. I saw so much injustice and underrepresented individuals at a really young age, and the little bit of media that I saw myself in I’m super attached to now. Growing up, I was hyper-aware that there was so many “first’s” to be made and I was a feisty lil’ Dominican girl that wanted to do and ‘be’ so many first. In 3rd grade, I introduced myself by saying I was going to be the 1st Hispanic woman president! I knew that I had a ‘1st’ to fill. There’s a part of me that wants to fill that hole to this day, I’ve chosen to make it art! A lot of the things I write and make are about real people that you don’t get to see as often and I want to make that difference. Growing up with so much color and culture, I want other little people to see that you are worth it and to not be afraid.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I make comics, zines, character designs, and soon more animations. Originally I used to make comics and characters with ink and watercolor traditionally, then scan and do corrections digitally. It was the fastest and best way that would work for me. I love the way that water bleeds on a paper and the way it can make a composition move. As I moved faster and faster in my field, I made things totally digital to streamline my work and it’s been a lot easier and my pieces transfer really well. As for the content that I make, I’m a big romantic and I love to write about wanting and connections that other people make with each other. I love writing and drawing people together in every sense of the word, romantically, platonically, as a family. Something about the togetherness draws me in.
More than anything I want viewers to feel something while engaging in my art and comics. I want other people to know that they are seen and deserve kindness if they give kindness. Other people should be aware of the energy they give out and understand that kindness comes back if you give it out. My artwork is a piece of me, some of it is my opinion, some of it is my dreams, and some of it is what I wish for myself.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
For artists today, it feels like the “competition” in this industry has gotten bigger and bigger, but there isn’t a competition in this time and age. There are only more people that you can get a chance to work with, and with social media, we can connect with others in so many ways. I think it’s great. To help all types of artists thrive in our age of social media and sharing content with our friends, family, and strangers that follow us, share, share, share! I think we should get in touch with our local artists more and ask for more commissions from them. Artist can help make more content for you that you can’t find in your drugstore, or on a large online shopping website. Going to an artist directly helps another person pay their bills versus paying for a large corporation another vacation home.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The best way to support my work is asking for commissions from me! I do personalized greeting cards, portraits, character art, and animations. If you’re not looking for any of those options, then you can also share and follow one or more of my accounts. I have a website, an Instagram, and a Twitter!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.agcarolillustrations.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agcarol.illustrations/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/agcarolillustra
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