We were lucky to catch up with Alexandra Turoski recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alexandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Art has been my lifelong passion. In school, it was the class I eagerly looked forward to every day. By the time I reached my senior year of high school, my love for art had blossomed into something tangible. Every year my high school did an art show as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. By special invitation, they gave me a whole wall to display my art. Our school librarian also noticed my enthusiasm and talent and commissioned me to paint a mural for the library. It remains there to this day, a symbol of my artistic journey’s beginnings. The process of brainstorming ideas with the librarian and bringing them to life was incredibly enjoyable. Once the mural was complete, she generously allowed me to continue painting in the back room during my free periods. This period marked the start of my evolution as an artist.

Over the next few years, I continued to paint, and word began to spread. People started placing orders, which led to the birth of my business, Alex & A Brush. It was during college, where I double-majored in Business Marketing and Graphic Design, that I truly began to refine my artistic and entrepreneurial skills. For my graphic design capstone project, we had to choose something we’ve already been working on and wanted to finish. I decided to focus on Alex & A Brush. With invaluable feedback from my peers and professors, I perfected my project, rebranding it as Alex&Brush. I created a cohesive identity, including a logo, marketing plan, business cards, a website, and “thank you” cards.

Since then, my art has traveled beyond my local community, reaching different states across the country. Each piece I create brings me immense joy and fulfillment, and I am profoundly grateful for the support and appreciation I have received. I have also done professional makeup and face painting for events, weddings, fashion shows in NYC and Boston, as Alex&Brush goes with makeup as well. My journey as an artist is far from over, and I look forward to continuing to share my passion with the world.

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?

Art has always been a profound passion of mine, fueling my desire to find new ways to express my creativity. Alongside my love for art, I’ve also been drawn to the world of entrepreneurship from a young age. Over the years, I’ve broadened my horizons and honed my skills, exploring various artistic styles such as nature, abstract, modern, and landscapes, while experimenting with different materials and mediums. This constant pursuit of challenges and novel experiences has not only enriched my artistic journey but also attracted a diverse clientele who appreciate my ability to bring their visions to life.

In recent years, I’ve received positive feedback for expanding my artistic range. People are delighted to witness my growth as an artist, and their encouragement has been instrumental in my journey. It all began during my senior year of high school when I was invited to paint a mural for the library. This initial project ignited a passion within me, leading to more paintings and eventually a growing number of orders and requests. Realizing the potential, I decided to turn my hobby into something more substantial. What started as a word-of-mouth endeavor has now blossomed into Alex&Brush, a flourishing business that I’m incredibly proud of.

My art is an integral part of who I am, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way. From family and friends to fans and followers, their unwavering support has been the cornerstone of my success. As I continue to grow and evolve as an artist, I remain committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity and sharing my passion with the world.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

College was a transformative period in my life, filled with valuable lessons and experiences that shaped who I am today. It taught me the importance of loving what you do, taking risks, and continuously improving. Originally, I entered college for marketing, but once my advisor learned of my artistic abilities, he pushed me to explore them further. While pursuing an art minor, a professor was impressed by my project and encouraged me to display my painting in the school art gallery, which led to my college purchasing it. She suggested I make art a second major. I then decided to double major, choosing Graphic Design as an opportunity to learn something new. Balancing two majors in Business Marketing and Graphic Design, two jobs, and various club leadership activities, I discovered that passion and dedication could make anything possible.

During my senior year, a painting professor noticed my artwork and expressed surprise that he hadn’t had me in his class before. He arranged for me to take one of his painting courses to hone my skills. His challenges pushed me to see what more I was capable of, reinforcing the idea that there’s always room for growth. The feedback I received from critiques was invaluable in improving my work and I’m thankful for those lessons to this day.

In addition to my classes, I worked at a campus café, where my business acumen and artistic talents led to creating flyers and marketing boards. It was amusing when customers recognized my name on the drawings and my name tag. I also worked at ATAS (At The Art Studio), teaching art to kids K-12 and promoting the program at town fairs and events. Before I graduated, I created a guide for my tasks and roles to help future ATAS members.

These experiences and stories helped shape me into who I am today, and I am incredibly grateful for them. My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family, friends, fans, and followers. Their encouragement and belief in me have been instrumental in my growth as an artist and entrepreneur. I am proud of how far Alex&Brush has come, and I am excited to see what the future holds.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Creating a website and linking it to my social media channels is a key strategy that leverages my background in marketing and graphic design. Being a talented artist is one thing, but knowing how to market oneself truly sets you apart. A well-designed website serves as my central hub where I showcase my portfolio, mock-ups placing my art in real life settings, and making it easily accessible to anyone interested. Social media, on the other hand, allows me to connect with a broader audience, engaging with potential clients, collaborators, opportunities and fellow art enthusiasts.

To further expand my reach, I am exploring platforms like Etsy and aiming to participate in galleries, events, and fairs. I’ve already begun discussions with galleries in New York City, Boston, and Saratoga, New York. These opportunities can lead to new connections and collaborations, helping me establish a stronger presence in the art world.

My journey as an artist has been shaped not just by my creative skills, but also by my ability to strategically market myself. As I continue to grow and adapt, I am dedicated to building a brand that stands out and resonates with a wide audience. Each step I take in this journey is a reflection of who I am as an artist, and I am excited to see where this path leads me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alexandbrush.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandbrush?igsh=MTM2NXNkcDgyNDA2NA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068808428793
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-turoski-a5a431b5/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexandBrush

Image Credits

All images are from Alex&Brush and my own photography.