Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexis “Lex” Diaz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alexis “Lex”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

There are a lot of important steps that go into making a successful piece of fluid artwork, including leveling the canvas and making sure it’s untouched while drying, sometimes for days. Because I don’t buy premixed paint, I have to ensure the consistency of the acrylic to pouring medium is a perfect ratio between too thick or too thin. I also have to layer my colors a certain way so they don’t muddy or disappear. While I initially started painting after consuming hours of tutorials, I developed and sharpened my skills through hands-on practice. I paint intuitively, often picking colors on a whim and deciding what techniques to use as I go depending on my emotional state. I strive to make my abstract art stand out, making my pieces totally original.

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?

My name is Alexis Diaz, but I introduce myself as, “Lex, like Lex Luthor,” so people won’t forget my name. I have been creating and selling, as I call them, magic-infused art pieces since early 2019. The technique I use is abstract fluid art and my work is mainly about evoking thoughts and emotions through colors and shapes.

Following my dream to work for myself has been an incredibly bumpy and rewarding ride. I have been in countless art shows and markets over the years and have been able to achieve many of my goals, such as getting my work into a public place — thank you Cultured South Fermentation Co. — and having my art in the background of a scene in the series finale of the show Atlanta. I have also dropped the ball on a handful of opportunities due to intense imposter syndrome, a battle I know a lot of creatives face. While I continue to work on this, I remind myself to enjoy the ride, which feels easier said than done.

My style has changed dramatically throughout the years as I’ve evolved both as a person and an artist. I also now carry a variety of stickers and keychains in my shop, with wearable merchandise coming.

Social media was the catalyst for my dream, as I started this journey by posting pictures of my art on Instagram. I want to challenge any artist out there who is afraid to share their work (whether it’s physical art, music, writing, or anything else) to get their art online immediately. You never know who might need it.

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

I’ve personally struggled with my mental health since I was eleven years old. Thoughts of self-harm and depression have haunted me into adulthood and while they’ve gotten easier to manage through therapy and self-reflection, they have – at times – hindered my art career. The beginning of 2023 was rough for my personal life. I found myself addicted to a narcissist and the healing process included a lot of sleep. I almost gave up on art completely despite having built a sizable social media following and making a name for myself in the Atlanta art market. Recently, I painted in front of a live audience and it helped restore my love for art again in ways I can’t express. I feel like the more I try and run away from painting, the more it calls to me. As life continues to knock me down, I will continue to paint – as well as explore other artistic outlets.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing how others emotionally connect to my work. I’m a sensitive and emotional person by nature and I get absolutely giddy when I hear how people interpret my abstracts. I love making people cry – in a good way. If sharing my art helps someone or inspires them, then that’s enough for me to keep going.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LexDiazArt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexdiazart
• Other: https://magicinfusedart.com/