Meet Alex Lujan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Lujan.

Hi Alex, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been creative since I was a kid. My mother and grandmother were both artists and I guess the fruit don’t fall far from the tree.

I started my brand Purple Wax in the summer of 2014 in my apartment cooking up small batches of skate wax on the stove. With the help from my partners Adrian Vargas and Brian Brokaw, we grew the brand over the last eight years retailing in many skate shops across the states and some out of the country. We have done collabs with major brands such as the globally recognized DGK and the Berrics.

As the brand got more established I was able to delegate more time into my own personal creative endeavors and started making art/animations and sculptures inspired by a character I created named Bandito. These themes seemed to connect with people and I slowly built a fan base around these concepts.

I did my first art show at No Comply skate shop here in Austin and shortly after was given an opportunity to do my first solo gallery show at “One Trick Pony Galley” owned and operated by Writer Arty Nelson in Los Angeles.

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?
Nothing has ever been easy or just given to us from the start till now. Having to create our own opportunities and just figuring out how to manufacture, market and sell new products.

My partners and I are all self-taught and have had to learn on the job the entire way but I believe experience is the best teacher and we are better for it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multi-disciplinary artist focusing on sculptures, dioramas, painting and animation.

I would say I am mostly known for my dioramas work where I replicate iconic photos of my favorite icons and or album covers.

Some might also know me for the world I built around my Bandito character mostly made up of animation and sculptures.

I am most proud of my Bandito work because it is loosely based off of my life and the people in it.

I think work ethic and originality and creativity is what sets me apart from others.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Wow too many to count. I really just enjoyed being at home with my mother as she filmed me and my sibling on her giant vintage camcorder. We would watch Country music videos all day on CMT and she would record me singing BillyRay Cyrus achey breaky heart. Always made me feel like I was a special performer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://banditotrucking.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: @playerunderpressure_
• Twitter: @banditopaycheck
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/PurpleWax_
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/JCJE4Ky6sPCuQVhV7
• Other: purplewax.com