Meet Elayna Alexandra… “She believes that art is a powerful vessel for communication, self knowledge, healing and much more, and that this expression of creativity should be a part of every day life…”

Name: Elayna Alexandra
Website: www.elaynaalexandra.com
Blog: www.elaynaalexandra.com/notebook/

A fine artist, illustrator, graphic designer, web designer and art instructor Elayna Alexandra, enjoys the versatility of art. She believes that art is a powerful vessel for communication, self knowledge, healing and much more, and that this expression of creativity should be a part of every day life. After twenty-two plus surgeries for her disability pseudarthrosis, she knows that finding a voice, which she has found through art, and using it is part of what makes our lives valuable and important.

What do you create?
I create many different styles of work. Digital fine art prints, acrylic canvases, I have illustrated a children’s book, and love to do children’s drawings in addition photography, atc, postcards and greeting cards. If it is considered art, I want to make it.

What are your favorite techniques and/or supplies?
I love just about everything for different reasons. Golden paints are wonderful and I love their different mediums that allow me to build up my canvases.

Tell us about your creative process.
I work pretty quickly on my acrylics, using big strokes. In contrast when I work in watercolor I first sketch my work out, then use a light board to transfer my final drawing to watercolor paper and then work carefully adding color. When I create digital work, I start by opening photos that I love and start layering these together then I finalize by adding many more details. My digital work can take hours and sometimes days to get it “right.”

In what ways do you live artfully?
I work on something artistically everyday. A quick sketch in my notebook, or a full painting. I spend my days day dreaming about a time when my space is larger enough that I can spend my days creating all the ideas that run through my head.

Do you sell your art? If so, where is it available for purchase?
I do sell my work, anyone can purchase it through me directly by contacting me. I also always have my current show featured on my website which is another place to purchase work through.

What is your personal motto or mantra?
Art is my language, I have to speak, so I must make art.

What is your favorite topic that you’ve participated in at Inspire Me Thursday?
DNA

Anything else you would like to share about yourself?
I am very excited to go to Washington D.C. in November for an award I won on my artwork.

[You can read all about Elayna's recent award -- and spot in an exhibit at the Smithsonian! -- here. Congratulations, Elayna!]

Visit Elayna Alexandra online to view more of her artwork:
Website: www.elaynaalexandra.com
Blog: www.elaynaalexandra.com/notebook/

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 1:02 am and is filed under connect. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.