Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Jones
Hi Alexis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began drawing when I was 8 years old. My art teacher, William Heape, was a wonderful artist and taught me basic concepts but I was most inspired by his skill and how easily he made realism a possibility in art. I didn’t pick up art again until I was about 11. While reading a Bible story I saw and copied a simple sketch and took it to my art teacher to hear his thoughts. He was brutal in his critiques but I felt addicted to creating art now and while I felt I could never truly get better, I slowly did and the critiques became less. The local library held a contest for young artists to enter illustrations for a chance to win a spot in a book. Each page was illustrated by a different artist. My simple drawings were nominated twice and that feeling that my art was recognized and in print was electric! I was inspired by my peers and the artists who were better than me and purposed to continue to grow. The local museum once featured my artwork and while I felt honored I was mostly inspired to build up my portfolio into something more serious and focused as an artist. I began attending competitions regionally and across the country where students from around the world competed on a variety of subjects. Of course, I was focused on sketching, pen and ink, acrylic paint, and colored pencils. I learned a lot from losing and gained confidence by winning.
I focused heavily on the importance of art in my younger years for the impact it made on me as an adult.
Once I graduated I attended the USC branch in Walterboro. There I was asked to design special shirts for the basketball team, SGA (where I became president), and the fishing team, and even decorated the announcement whiteboards, painted windows in town to promote the college and so many other exciting projects!
I constantly was doing art commissions ranging from children’s portraits, pet portraits, logos, and decorative art. During my first year of college, I was asked to start teaching art basics to a student in elementary school. I jumped at the opportunity to begin teaching and within the next few years, the count went from 1 to 30 students that spanned 3 classes and 3 time zones.
My family and I moved to Columbia where I continued to do commission artwork (portraits, decorative art, and digital designs). I recently have started teaching virtual art classes again and love seeing the amazing progress they make over each session.
For the past few years, I have volunteered in the community at a local rehabilitation center for seniors and also at a children’s hospital making art and creating meaningful legacy art for the resident’s and patient’s families.
I am currently working on a children’s book as I recently completed illustrations with a writer friend entitled “Big Church”. The book focuses on helping children know what to expect during a church service. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I love sharing the love of Jesus and my love for church made this project an easy yes! The book I’m working on now is entitled “Back of the Canvas: Healing in Progress” and is about the stories I’ve come across as a volunteer artist in the children’s hospital, rehabilitation center, and with my own experience with betrayal. It will have art pieces and photos. I am excited to publish it on Amazon in the Spring 2025.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The term “starving artist” is one which I now understand completely. It is a feast or famine over the years. The path to great art is not paved with gold but desire and I have desired to inspire and help others retain memories of the people and places they love and that has created amazing art. I love getting to see my art look back at me and that’s when I know I’m done with a piece. My artwork is hard to price because it is priceless to me.
My greatest difficulty was when my art mentor passed away in a tragic accident. I was greatly discouraged in my art during that time but have realized his passion for perfection was not meant to be an unattainable goal but was a path meant to inspire and to never stop growing.
Overall, my difficulties have not been in my path but those I’ve had to say goodbye to along the way. These are my greatest inspirations and why I have this passion to make art for others treasure the presence of those they love today, see the laughter, the childhood antics, and the love, or keep memories alive in perpetuity of those they have lost and even if its while they look into the eyes of the portrait they can see they’re never really lost.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create art from my simple home studio usually seated criss-cross on the floor despite the beautiful art table and chairs at my disposal. I try to find ways to make each art piece meaningful, the color choices, the direction of the brushmarks, or the attention to certain details are my way to ensure that the memories are preserved for many lifetimes regardless if anyone speaks on the piece’s behalf or not. Portrait art is my absolute love. Being able to create a specialty portrait from a disintegrating portrait from long ago or bringing life to a photograph, each portrait is created as a legacy for generations to come.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My greatest piece of advice for anyone pursuing art as a hobby career is to find someone near you who is better than you. Age is not a factor in this world of art. The point is to find someone who inspires you and ask questions. I tell my students that the greatest gift an artist can give to themselves is a self-critique. Find your flaws and weaknesses and learn from your inspirations how to make those areas your strengths.
Pricing:
- 16×20” Colored Pencil Portrait at approx. 400-700
- 8×10” Watercolor Pet Portraits at approx. 75-200
- 16×20” Acrylic Landscapes at approx. 300-500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: alexisportrait.art
