Arizona-based artist and illustrator, Alexa Simpson shares more about her practice and life in time with "Luck Out," featuring her work this Winter '24/'25.
What initially brought you to art?
My grandmother( who I never got to meet) & great grandmother on my dad’s side were artists. I remember being really young and seeing piles of art and paintings and sculptures that both of them made and I thought it was so cool & I wanted to create piles of art. As well as, my dad’s dad was making weirder things. He would do large series of whatever it was he was creating at the time-he was prolific-that was so inspiring to me, he was the best & he would always say he understood my work.
What imagery has historically interested you and why?
Watching behind the scenes & making of films, practical effects in particular. Seeing how much layering and building goes into practical effects makes me think of painting. The problem solving and creativity that goes into visual effects brings me so much joy, and then I paint about it.
How has your process evolved in the last 5-10 years?
Looking back, I notice a shift in 2015. I started making my lines more clean and started using gouache, so my work became more vibrant, I also started adding more detail and being really intentional with my lines, I had always been really messy before. Also making myself draw things I’ve never drawn before, Which I do whenever I’m in a comfort zone for too long and things feel easy, then it’s time to fuck it up& try to make something terrible look good.
What or who has had the most influence on your work?
Film & music are continually influencing my work. There are filmmakers and musicians that speak to me depending on the state that I am in & it feels like they go with what I’m making, it feels like they are making it for me as a soundtrack or visual scape while I create. I think it helps in keeping me excited to create more.
What has surprised you about your art practice?
Being able to come up with more ideas when I feel like there’s nothing left, I’ve experienced it a few times in the last few years, painting for a show and wondering why I spend all my free time alone making art. I love it so much, and that always carries me through, and somehow the ideas come through. I know I can’t wait for inspiration & I must just start working when I have the time & sometimes it looks like shit & it all gets painted over, but I think that part is important as well.
What is your identity at large? Do you think about this a lot in relation to your art?
I really try to be honest and vulnerable in my work, more than I can be in real life, I can be more strange in my art, I also try to incorporate humor but I think that gets lost.
What is the most precious takeaway from this exhibition?
This period of time was really romantic and day dreamy. I had a few boys on my mind- I can look at these and remember which piece was referencing who and how many paintings did it take for me to get over each of them, I miss those silly feelings. I love the infatuation that manifests in someone’s absence, I become very productive.
The other artist that I got to show with are all fantastic, we have such different styles & I think
pretty distinct work, and the art looks great together, I’m so thankful to be a part of this exhibition.
Read more about the show in which Alexa Simpson is featured, Luck Out!
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