Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Abbott.
Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In June of 2021, I stopped wishing for an artistic career and started painting full-time. Although I earned a degree in Visual Art 20 years prior, I had never taken a formal painting class. I have spent the last 5 years learning as I go with oil and acrylic. While expanding my skills, I have also rekindled my love for visual storytelling.
Through my body of work, I share my experience as a Gen X, Texan woman, overcoming crisis and loss through self-expression. My paintings are nostalgic storybook illustrations of my life. In a world flooded with meaningless, artificially produced images, I paint to give the world something real -something new, and something that is purely mine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am enjoying the journey. With each new painting, I am pushing myself to expand the ideas behind the composition while also exploring new techniques and subject matter. My greatest struggle is growing an audience for my work. It is challenging not to slip into quietly painting my days away – so much time, energy and skill is needed to market and promote myself as an artist. That is the hardest thing for me. I am on a constant quest for another show, another gallery, or an opportunity for people to experience my paintings.
Currently 5 of my paintings can be viewed at The Women’s Gallery by Julie Ahmad. https://www.thewomensgallery.org/
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Many of my paintings from the last few years I consider ‘dreamscapes’, surrealist images akin to large-scale storybook illustrations of my memories and dreams. These paintings are full of allegory, symbolism, and nostalgia. It is fascinating to me when a viewer finds their own reflection in one of my compositions. It is the highest compliment when a stranger has an emotional connection to a piece and sees themself in my work.
Earlier this year, I completed a series of paintings based on my astrological chart. Each painting features a planet with plants, animals, insects, or scenes that tell the story of that planetary influence. Along with these 6 planet paintings, I made each a small satellite painting (usually a moon) to accompany it. Having completed the series in February, it has been wonderful to see the beautiful images brought back by the Artemis II crew and feel like I had spent the last few months stargazing with them.
As usual, the piece I just finished is the one I am most excited about. It is the first in a new series – larger canvases, bold color, and powerful visual storytelling based on current world events.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe that authentic art, human-made objects, and meaningful, lasting work is what will matter most in the future. It grows MORE valuable over time. I encourage everyone to invest in art and handmade goods as a way to preserve local creativity and culture. Mass production is not only bad for our planet, but it is meaningless to future generations. Artists tell the story of what it is like to be human during this incredibly dynamic time in history.
A home full of art teaches our children that authenticity matters; the mark of the hand gives an object value that no amount of technology can replace.
Reject AI slop! Support local artists!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbyalexabbott.art
- Instagram: artbyalexabbott
