Devotional Drawing: Meet Artist Alessandra Maria
An interview with charcoal & gold leaf artist extraordinaire
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Hello April! Everything is blooming in Virginia and the birds are chirping and thank goodness for the return of spring. Spring reminds us of the resilience of nature, the ability to come back even more beautiful than we remember, every single year. I feel like usually in spring there is a speeding up of activity and events and a go-go-go attitude, but this year feels different. As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been going through lots of shifts and transitions, and in that movement a very strong feeling of slowing down has stayed present. And it’s so lovely to slow down in springtime. Stop and smell the incredible flowers blooming all around! Take my puppy on longer walks in the evenings when the sun is setting later and later. Enjoy the deep breaths of fresh air and warm sunshine returning to bless our thawing bodies. I am slowing down AND I am feeling the churning of creative wheels inside of me and have so many beautiful new offerings coming to life that I am excited to share about soon. Lots around new paintings, new workshops that are focused on art as ritual, new collaborations, etc.
I hope that you are feeling some new inspiration budding amongst whatever life’s challenges and current busyness is. I hope that you can stop and take in this special magic that is the changing of the seasons. The other day I was at the river here in Richmond, sitting on a rock and two geese came over and took baths right in front of me for about 5 minutes. I watched them, sort of just newly blown away by these creatures that we share this planet with. Their necks reaching far back into their feathers to smooth them out and get any bits of mud or dirt out. Glistening in the sun, sooooo many, many, many feathers on their bodies. They truly are amazing. It’s in slowing down that I can reawaken to the wonders of everything right in front of me.
Speaking of wonders right in front of me, I am so honored to introduce you to my next artist in my interview series, Alessandra Maria. Alessa and I have been friends ever since we lived on Maui at the same time and she found me through instagram (this is when I am grateful to social media, for making special relationships and connections that might not otherwise have been). We found each other when we were both pretty new to island life, and have been very close dear friends ever since. Alessa’s art is otherworldly and incredibly beautiful. I am in awe of her devotion and work ethic when it comes to creating the stuff of dreams. Working with a unique mix of charcoal and gold leaf, she creates fantastical realms of beings and environments that leave you wanting to explore them more. I am so honored to have her as a guest here and hope that you enjoy her responses to these questions. Please feel free to ask more questions or reflections in the comments below.
In your own words, can you tell us what you do for a living?
The short answer is I make drawings, and I send them to my gallery in Chicago who in turn sells them.
The longer answer is I dream, I try to connect with a childlike place within myself, and then I work to manifest that vision as perfectly as possible onto paper. Other people seem to like the things I make, and are willing to part with their hard-earned treasure for them, which enables me to do it for a living.
When did considering yourself an 'artist' begin for you? Did you feel like an artist as a child, or was it something that you came to when you were older?
I had a family crisis when I was in college that forced me to be honest with myself about what I wanted to do with my life. During this time, there was a lot of upheaval at home, and simultaneously in school I realized I hated the major I was in. I did some soul-searching, and concluded that if I make the visions in my head, but executed at the absolute height I possibly could, that I would be successful. The key was "executed at the absolute height" - which meant I had work to do in terms of improving my craft.
I realized that is what it means to be an artist - dedicating my life to creating these visions in my head. So in a lot of ways, it felt like that label kind of found me, rather than me reaching for it, if that makes sense.
What is your favorite medium/artform to create with?
I just love to draw. It's instinctive for me, I've been doing it everyday since I was 5.
How did you first get into the work that you do? How would you describe your niche, and how did you find it?
I went to art school, which exposed me to so many different forms of artwork. Delving into art history, learning sculpture, videography, patternwork - we tried everything in school, which was great for refining and figuring out what I love. I was always drawn to old-school illustration in particular, and that informed the sort of work I make.
I don't know if I could describe my niche exactly - it's been described as Neo-Romantic, but I am not sure that 100% fits either.
When you are struggling to find your creative voice, what are some practices that bring it back for you?
I have a couple secret pinterest boards with hundreds of images I find inspiring. I'll add new images sporadically, or whenever I'm contemplating a new piece, and looking at these boards really helps me find ideas for new work. They're filled with a wide range of images - childrens' book images from the 1800s, tintype photos, opulent jewelry, dancers in motion, gorgeous landscapes, and stunning portraiture. My main metric for images that inspire is how much I absolutely love it.
I also take long walks, or listen to music at times.
Who are some artists/creatives/change makers that inspire you?
Well you, for starters!
I also love Japanese Nihonga painters like Ikenaga Yasunari and Fuyuko Matsui. And of course the Viennese Secessionists, Renaissance painters (Da Vinci etc), and Caravaggio.
I'm also really drawn to couture beading and decorative arts, which I feel can be fruitful for finding breathtaking pattern work.
What advice would you give to someone trying to become a professional artist?
My advice is a little counter to the norm.
I think first and foremost: don't quit your day job. I built up my career one small sale at a time while waiting tables, until I finally was able to raise my prices to the point where I could make a living at it. I hate to say this so bluntly, but you need to see that the market wants what you make before you put all your apples in that basket. Otherwise, it's very common for people to "take the leap", and to fall because they have no idea how to actually sell what they're creating.
Second, be willing to sell for less than you feel you're worth - at least at first. I did a calculation once, in which I figured out that I made something like $1.24 an hour on the first 5 artworks I sold. But that was important, because not only did I get press from those shows, but they led to more shows, and I got to practice the "rhythm" of selling art through galleries. The lower price enabled the work to move ("sell" in gallery speak), which gave data into what work was resonating with people, and also enabled me to slowly raise the prices with each sale. In the gallery world, once you raise your prices you can't lower them, because it destabilizes your market (and upsets the buyers who purchased at a higher price, understandably).
I suppose the overarching energy behind this is: you need to be willing to get up each morning before your dayjob to create - if you want to make a living at this. You can't focus on "if only I was full time" or "if only I had a studio" or "why won't galleries work with me". If an artist is obsessing over these questions, in my opinion that's a sign they're not getting into art for the right reasons. These things are obsessions about market, about career - they're not about the most important thing: the art itself.
The questions one should be obsessed with are "How can I improve my work to match the vision in my head" and "how can I get the maximum amount of work done this week towards that goal, without compromising my health?"
The first artist is thinking all the time about their career and their external circumstances. The second artist is getting up every morning to work towards their artistic vision because they love it. That's someone who will be working until the day they die on something they just love, regardless of commercial success.
And I personally believe, if every single day you progress 1 millimeter towards your ideal work, you will eventually arrive (and then, success will follow - because you've made something extraordinary). If you hammer at a door everyday for 10, 15, 20 years - eventually that door will fall down.
Do you have a mentor? If so, how has that support helped you get to where you are now?
You know, not really. I am a really shy person, and I struggle to put myself out there and really look for help. I wish I did! Maybe someday.
Please tell us about what you are working on currently, and if there are any upcoming happenings/shows/print sales we should be aware of!
Right now I am pulling together about 5 pieces for an online show that will only be available to former collectors. I am also getting my ducks in a row for another print sale - stay tuned!
You can see more of Alessa’s work on her instagram and on her website.
Current Inspirations and Musings…
I’ve recommended the Emerald podcast here before, but I recently listened to this particular episode on resonance and it was really beautiful.
I listened to that podcast because I got to go and visit and SING in these caves here in Virginia and they are truly incredible. Being inside of a cave is like being inside the belly of the earth.
Now that the weather is warming up, I am desiring lighter novels that are easy to devour in a few sittings. I read both of Lily Kings books Euphoria and Writers and Lovers, but especially the latter was a favorite of mine. Really beautiful writing that still has a lot of the beach-read romance vibes.
I just came across Herban Cura thanks to
promoting their Bread in Palestine knowledge share they hosted this past weekend. They have so many enriching offerings available, I highly recommend checking out what is up next (and you can also choose to register to access their ‘living library’ with access to resources and past knowledge shares).*Spring & Summer Watercolor Workshops*
I am VERY excited to announce that I will be back to teaching small in person workshops this year! I’ve got a few coming up next month that I will be sure to share the details around soon. A couple at Oakley Farm in Warm Springs, VA, and one at Hazelwitch Farm close to Richmond.
*If you have a space that you’d like to host a workshop in with me, please reach out! I love to collaborate, especially with farmers, chefs, bakers, etc. or anyone that feels the pull to supporting the creation art in a supportive group dynamic.
There will be a Spring Sale in my print shop for Mothers Day starting early next month. I’ll be sharing a special extra 10% off code with my paid subscribers here, so please subscribe if interested in getting these extra discounts in the future.
Thank you for being here!