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

Alex, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Being an artist is all about that jump.. the freefall into the unknown. Taking risks is also what makes life meaningful. Becoming fully immersed in my art has taught me a lot about navigating through the unknown depths of possibility and creating something for people to enjoy.

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 have been a creative all of my life.. my grandmother started doing crafts with me at a very young age and I fell in love with the colors, shapes and surprises art held. Getting into my 20’s in 2013, I started attending electronic dance music festivals and KNEW I wanted to “do that”.. I wanted to create it.. I wanted to be part of it.. I wanted to curate it. Along with the music.. the art drew you in as well and would captivate you in a way you just felt at home.. I knew I wanted to create that feeling for other people as well! A dear friend of mine Stew whom is no longer with us.. got me a gig selling art for a painter at a music event in 2015 and I started selling others art while they live painted shows and festivals while learning myself along the way. I then started drawing and painting posters for those festivals I was working and selling them in the campgrounds trying to get my own art out there. I spent a few years doing this and let me tell you.. it’s not for the faint of heart. You really wear your heart on your sleeve trying to convince people walking camp to camp that they should buy something you made. What I really wanted though was to be one of the live painters hosted at the festival.. one of THOSE people. My great friend Stew had a company called Pass the Good and hosted local events on the Gulf Coast as well as a music festival so I got to start painting and working with him more at events. After a few years I got my first gig painting at a music festival and still continue working with them. I paint at live music events as well as some festivals but have found that my new passion is creating art installations for music festivals. I still create canvas artwork along with prints, stickers and now interactive art installations. Aside from art, myself and a couple of other friends also started Gulf Coast Harm Reduction to help spread awareness, education, and promote harm reduction in our area. In the last five years I feel that I have accomplished the most I could ever dream of within this industry from multiple angles and hope to continue to grow. I’m always expanding with my art and I think that’s why it has and always will be my passion.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being an artist from what I do is so rewarding because I get to create art for others to enjoy.. I get to make a piece of art then experience others experience it as well. With canvas/print art, it’s something they are able to take home and have forever.. but with interactive installations it’s beautiful to see someone see the piece of art for the first time and be part of it themselves.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Sharing art online, engaging on posts and shopping local i think are the best ways to support the artists and creatives! Two of those things are free to do and are simple ways to help the artists you love grow in the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/macofalex
• Instagram: @amac.doesart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artalexmac

Image Credits
first photo-(personal photo)– Capture Your Essence, Ashle Charbonneau