We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexander. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexander below.

Hi Alexander, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

At a young age I’ve always created I would draw on my mother mail with an ink pen instead of the supplies, sketchbook she got for me as a child and as I got older art was always a major outlet for me which became my life. I’ve been confident but also questionable of my ability or to even consider myself a professional artist, as many do I would compare myself to many artist present and before me if I could actually be a professional but low and behold I was always a professional artist just needed to give myself credit let the art speak for itself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Alexander Ogbonna a realism portrait, figure artist. I’m skilled in many mediums but mainly work with acrylic, pencil and color pencil. Born and raised in the Greater Hartford area, self taught but I’ve had many mentors early in my studies.

Being a realism artist my portfolio consists of many faces ranging from a beautiful muse to a creepy creatures and or characters from my childhood. I say “in many ways” because thru my portfolio you’ll see how i capture the beauty within a subject in different perspectives and mediums. I show a great appreciation for the human body in my latest series of work, a lot of these pieces come from a place of lost love, lust, once cherished now loveless, forgotten and or forbidden but appreciated. Creating from my experiences, my journey, a moments in a comfortable space that feels like a lifetime but are just that, a moment. Creating from a position to explore myself and I’m proud of what I’ve produced. I also show appreciation for what has come before me, today and honestly everything because in return it all becomes an inspiration.

I don’t know when I’ve officially been in the “industry” I’ve been creating most of my life in high school/ college I experienced some exhibitions, showcases, galleries etc how everything operates and what goes into those events. Sold a few commissions here and there throughout my earlier years in college after college but I’d say of recent after publishing my own short story “Little Black Cat”, three coloring books “Calming Colors, Little Kings & Little Queens” and organizing my own events I guess right now I could consider myself “mainstream” on in the “industry”. The short story “Little Black Cat” is a short story of a runt of the litter who was born different and overcomes those and things around her. “Calming Colors” is a coloring book for anyone dealing with anxiety, overthinking, depression, mental health and creative block. “Little Kings” was created to highlight African American influence on the culture throughout history and today. “Little Queens” was also created to highlight African American influence on the culture throughout history and today. Everything is available on my website artfulalexander.com also have original paintings, prints, stickers if anyone is interested.

I’m highlighting things from my culture, things that don’t always get highlighted or the first choice and I’m proud to share what I see beautiful! One of my most popular pieces “Winnie’s Harlow” is a large painting of a beautiful black woman with vitiligo surrounded by animals in the forrest all the animals are stunned by her beauty and presents. I’m very proud of that, also proud creating coloring books of African American influence by an actual American American artist. What sets me apart is that I’m very dedicated to my craft, I’m always learning new ways to create or better my skill set I’m never to big to learn or adjust new things and the quality of my work shows that.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an artist is a reward within itself, God has blessed me with the tools and abilities to create, to build something from within that words can describe. Inspiration come from everything, anything around us so being able to create and put thing together creating a masterpiece is very rewarding, a blessing!

Have you ever had to pivot?

As I shared before I’ve been creating most of my life but now that I’m publishing books, coloring books and organizing events I’ve had to balance being not only the talent and also business man. I would spend hours creating, putting time into mastering my craft, creating something new and worth while. I have to put just as much time into production photos, description, marketing, social media and more for each piece I create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artfulalexander.com/
• Instagram: artfulalexander
• Twitter: alex0g
• Youtube: artful alexander

Image Credits

Alexander Ogbonna