We were lucky to catch up with Alexander Gonzalez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alexander, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

It was during the 1st year of the pandemic, late 2020. I began in my home working on large canvas with no real plan to sell any of my work, I just wanted to create. I was always drawing as a kid but now as an adult I felt I didn’t have the subject matter, voice, or confidence to express a clear thought on canvas. I, like many people at that time felt stuck with no light at the end of the tunnel. I had a strong urge to be creative again and whimsical without regard of “is this good?” or “how can I make this better?” I decided I would use my lack of confidence as my motivation and inspiration. I used that line of thought as my focus in my first series; ‘Notes to Myself’. It was a major moment for me as I used that series to talk to myself, give myself encouragement, and gain confidence as an artist. As I was creating this work I randomly posted my progress online and started to get positive feedback and inquiries. Around the time I was completing that body of work, Chris Mangless, an entrepreneur and business owner from Green Bay, WI reached out to me and purchased almost every piece for a project he was working on. It was the first time I had sold any of my work. It was big moment for me and I’m so appreciative to Chris and his confidence in my work as an artist. Since then I have been getting more inquires and have been able to ship my work all over the country. It has been an amazing time getting to be creative and people being so receptive and encouraging of me and my work.

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 background and context?

I was born and raised in Chicago, my parents (Domingo and Guillermina) are from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico and moved to the states at 18 years on their own and with their first child (me) on the way. I have 2 siblings but was surrounded by tons of family, very typical for a latin household. Imaginations were all over the place, there was always a made up game being played with whoever wanted to join in. I had a great childhood and attribute that to my parents, they worked their butts off to provide us with many things in life. Fast forward to young adulthood where I enlisted in the Navy, completed my 4 years, and enrolled in culinary school. Graduating in 2007 I began working at a restaurant called Alinea in Chicago. After 5 years at Alinea my wife Alice and I decided to do a little traveling and we were able to move to Napa, Ca where I worked at The French Laundry. We did a couple of more moves before settling back in Chicago with our son, Rhone.

As far back as I can remember I would always draw or doodle on anything I could get my hands on. I loved to draw and still have some my very old sketches from when I was a kid. Growing up I never thought I could one day be an artist. I didn’t see it as a viable space where a kid like me could make it in that creative world. As I became an adult, husband, and now father, I didn’t want to say “I wonder if….” more importantly I didn’t want to expose my son to that type of thinking. I talk to him everyday about the things he can become, stress the importance of creativity, and to believe in himself, self confidence above all. It was time for me to listen to my own advice.

At this point in my life my art is focused on physical issues that I have due to my time in the military. It is very anatomical with use of symbolism intermixed with painted aspects. Mostly large scale work is what I gravitate towards but have done pieces that are much smaller in size.

There is always concern that my work wont resonate with people as it is deeply personal to me and tells my story and struggles. There is always a side of me that is looking to please people wether it is in the restaurant or people looking at my work. As I find my artistic voice I have focused more on my process and less of the final result. I have accepted that this work of mine is my story and if people like it great! If they are not fans, that’s ok too. It’s my attempt of telling my story without having to use my words.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

Right now it is just to prove to myself that I can do this, that I am able to, and continue to grow my voice, however long that may take. It’s to prove to my 5 year old self that I can.

I of course want to learn as much as I can about myself throughout the process and continue to tap into my artistic voice, continue to build upon what I have learned so far as well as push myself into new territories with my art.

Eventually I would love to help others that have a story like mine. A kid who might be full of ideas but cant get them out, a kid who wants to see someone like him from where he grew up on a wall at a museum, a kid to be able to say I want to be an artist when I grow up and see that it is a very real possibility. I’m hopeful that I’ll get there one day.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Go to your local art gallery, coffee shop, museum, restaurant, anywhere they have art and support them. Go find artist on instagram and make a purchase. When you do that you are investing in that artist directly, you have just given them an opportunity to create more. Especially for an artist just starting out, you can change their trajectory in a positive way, 100%. Find something you like and find a way to support them, any support makes positive impact. If you aren’t able to make a purchase, kind words or encouragement, a comment on their post, a like, a follow, keep it positive and make a connection. I have had several people reach out to me just to say they enjoy my work, with no intent to buy, and that is great too. Sales are great but sometimes connection matters more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alexandergonzalez-art.com
• Instagram: alexandergonzalez.art
• Linkedin: Alexander Gonzalez

Image Credits
Alice Gonzalez