Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessandra Guth.
Alessandra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It started when I was four years old, and my Uncle Drew passed away from AIDS. He was an artist and fashion designer. Something about him stuck out to me at a super young age, and from there I was always creating. In 2016, I was diagnosed with a disorder that was silently controlling my life. This was my first year in college, and at the time I was a double major in Economics and Biology. As I grew into my disorder, life got harder to manage. In 2017, I left America to spend a year in Florence, Italy. Art surrounded me everyday, in every city–every country. I was in heaven abroad and my disorder subsided for the time being. By 2018, my junior year in college, I switched into the Fine Art division at Pepperdine University back in Malibu. I soon after landed a job as an artist intern at Tracy Park Gallery in Malibu, CA, where I sold my own work alongside local LA artists. There, I found my voice within my artwork. My pieces started reflecting my medical journey, as well as my journey in finding my identity. Articles were written about one of my series in LA and New York City. My artwork was censored by Pepperdine for its nudity and overall shock value. I fought with the University to have my work shown at the end of the year. People came all over to see it. Turns out, I graduated with Honors from Pepperdine with a BA in Fine Art in 2020.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
2002: death of my artist Uncle Drew (but sparked inspo. to continue his legacy) 2016: diagnosed with a lifelong disorder (being a future doctor seemed impossible)
2018: dropped out of college without telling anyone due to the internal battle I was dealing with
2019: Accepted/transferred to the Fine Art division at Pepperdine
2019: Voluntarily admitted myself to the psych unit, and then 100 days of rehab WHILE being a full-time student
2019: Fought with Pepperdine University about my Junior Thesis series of pieces being censored and hidden from public
2020: Presented my Senior Thesis, which exposed my disorder to the world (but also helped many feel accepted)
2020: Graduated in the pandemic
2020: Senior art show was canceled due to the pandemic
2020: Moved to Austin, TX by myself for a fresh start, while I had COVID
2020: Struggled to find art connections or outlets in Austin
2020: Applied and began a Master’s degree in Advanced Social Media
2021: Graduated with my Master’s and Certificate from Texas Tech, still during COVID
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Specialize in: Welding frames/sculptures
Photography (subject/portraits)
Oil Paintings, large scale (abstract)
Graphic Design (for social media, etc.)
Modeling
Music (Apple Music, Spotify, TikTok, Youtube, etc. under Howdy Princess)
Video Editing
Podcasting (Spotify/YouTube/etc. under Howdy Princess)
Press releases on my censored art by the National Collation Against Censorship in NYC
I have a website portfolio: www.howdyprincess.com (also @howdyprincess on Insta and @alessandraguth). Have modeled in LA with Joey McDougall II (producer of The Florida Project), Hudson Lane, and Romark Weiss. Recently hired as Austin’s Very Own lead photographer/videographer @austinsveryown. Currently freelance modeling and photographer in Austin, TX
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Jeez, advice? I guess to sum it up:
1. Do what you love, no matter what.
2. Always stay true to your own values, morals, and messages (authenticity over profits).
3. Consistency is key. Never stop, and watch yourself grow.
4. Nothing is impossible.
Pricing:
- $200/hour photography in ATX
- $100/hour graphic design
- $200/week social media manager
- Free: Artist representation on my website with proof of portfolio and residency in the US
Contact Info:
- Email: howdyprincess@gmail.com
- Website: www.howdyprincess.com
- Instagram: @howdyprincess or @alessandraguth
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMSeWLt9kY0huvPeaSQ3KoA
- Other: TikTok @howdyprincess
