We were lucky to catch up with Alex Craig recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alex thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

The first thing that came to my mind was a customer who bought a painting from me. At the time I sold it I needed money, so I decided to sell it at a discounted price. A year later that same customer tipped me a $250 tip with a message saying my art was one of their favorite pieces in their home, and they felt like they should pay full price. The reason why that moment mattered so much was because it was amazing reassurance that my art is worth it to people and that person thought about my value a whole year later. It’s moments like those, that give you a reminder that you are capable and a great nudge that you are stepping in the correct direction of following your dream.

Alex, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

If I could describe myself in one word it would be ‘determined’. I’m a 27 year old self taught acrylic painter and digital artist. Additionally a published children’s book illustrator. I grew up in a middle class household in Missouri. The kind of home where it was Goodwill, discounts and hand me downs. With that being said, in my adolescence I knew if I wanted something I had to get it myself. I knew from a very young age I was expressive. I loved sculpting, fashion, painting, makeup, honestly anything I could put my hands to use so I could create. When in college I had my own clothing line called NRG, a play on the word energy. I painted on clothing, hats, shoes and that’s how I started supporting myself in school. From painting clothes I started to be acknowledged by my school and won a Deans awards for my portraits in my classes and from there I started to accept commission work. So unknowingly, I’m taking on projects to make money and sharpening my technique and skill for what I specialize in today which is acrylic painting. I I opened my horizon from not only painting but to digital art as well as logos, digital portraits and paintings, books and book covers, promotion videos and more. I took a chance and started to make a more online presence with opening my Etsy shop called ArtViaAlex were I sell all my original work presently. I feel my art sets me apart from other artist because of the level of technical skill I challenge myself to constantly improve on when I lay my brush to a canvas. I have a unwavering love for the people who support me, whether it be someone simply complimenting my work or collecting a piece from me. It’s the gratitude I share for the people who show up for me as a creative. I am the most proud of the community I have been able to build, and the people I am able to move with my art. I’m proud of the love I can put into a painting and how people can feel that just from a image I convey. The main thing I want a potential client, follower or supporter to know is that my art is authentically me. Art has saved me in so many ways, it has aligned me when I have drifted off in my own life worries many times and I’m continuously reminded how blessed I am to create.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

The platform I felt best suited me was Etsy. I am constantly on the go so I manage a large portion of my business on my phone which Etsys app is very user friendly. As an artist as well, Etsy has a large global community interested in unique, handmade items. It is a good starter platform that can take your side hustle into a full blown business.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was quality over quantity. To a possible average person you would think the more art you make the more your profit will be. But when you prioritize quality over quantity, you can allocate your time, energy, and resources more effectively. Instead of spreading yourself thin by trying to do everything, you can concentrate your efforts on what truly matters and deliver superior results and top of the line service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artviaalex.etsy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artviaalex?igsh=ZW40amNyeXV0cHBx&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: Craig_AlexG
• Other: Business Email : ArtViaAlex@gmail.com