We were lucky to catch up with Alejandra Colosimo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alejandra, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
As an artist and educator, I hope my legacy inspires young creatives to go after their dreams and to continue to create. I came to the United States at the age of 2 and my parents left everything behind so that I could have a better life and one day follow my dreams. I want my art to leave an impact in the lives of those who encounter it. To have others feel something when looking at my work is the goal. To connect with others in a way only pictures and images can and I hope to transform the art world and encourage my community through the work that I do..
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I began creating at a very young age. I remember my parents buying me my first watercolor set when I was in kindergarten and they always encouraged me to create. I was ultimately inspired by my own art teacher in high-school to go after art education in college and so that’s what I did and got my degree from NDSU. I am currently an educator teaching art to K-5 students but I am working hard to grow my business as an artist as well.
I would say something that sets me apart from others is my mission to really understand each client and their vision for the art they want In their spaces or homes. I want to create something specific to them, meaningful to them and so that’s what I do! I’ll ask as many questions as I can go better understand who they are and what their own visions are as well.
This year I have grown so much as an artist and I have focused my work around creating experiences had at sporting events on to my canvas. I was blessed with the opportunity to sell my first Timberwolves painting to D’Angelo Russell and that ultimately gave me the confidence I needed to keep creating. It hasn’t been easy working a full time job and also creating artwork after work but I’m proud of that hard work I’ve put in that has led me to many new opportunities this year. I look forward to continuing to partner with my community and creating more work.
I’m passionate about art, I feel deeply, and see things differently through my own lens as an artist. I feel that the experiences we have are all connected, I bring sports, music, lighting, movement , photography, videography all into one and it makes me incredibly happy to do so. To explore all of it and find those connections is my ultimate goal. I’m a Latina artist with big dreams and this is just the beginning for me. I am so appreciative of everyone who has and continues to support me through commissions, sharing my work online, liking, commenting. It all means so much to me.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Authenticity. I don’t know if that’s a strategy but I just want to be true to who I am with whomever decides to work with me. I want to be myself and connect with my clients in a real and authentic way. I feel like I need to do so in order to better serve them and reach the vision I have for each individual artwork.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In order to tell the world who I am I have to start from where I came from.
I was born in Guatemala City Guatemala and my family and I immigrated here when I was just a little girl. I would say that the example I had of resilience were my parents. Their resilience and strength to start a new life in a new country is what I had to look up to. When I’m going after my dreams as an artist I remember that the original dream started 24 years ago when we moved here for a better life. I don’t dare give up on my own dreams because of them. I am strong, resilient and creative because they were all those things first.
I’d also mention that this last year has been A LOT. Juggling teaching my students art and also creating my own art outside of school has been a lot of work but I have to believe it will lead me to where I am suppose to be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @alejandra.colosimo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-alejandra-colosimo-79a623223
Image Credits
Gysland Photography