Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Collum
Hi Alexis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always knew I wanted to center my life around art and animals, but the way in which that dream came to fruition has evolved over time. I thought I’d become a veterinarian while creating art on the side.
I attribute the start to my art career when I was 7; I attended my great-aunt Betty’s funeral and though I had never met her, I felt this intimate connection to her by being in her space and looking through her artwork. I felt inspired and in awe that she did this every day. Her husband gave me my first watercolor paint set and pad of paper from her materials. I sat at her artist desk to make my first painting, planting the seed that I could be an artist too.
In 10th grade, I saw the movie Earthlings, and made the decision to go vegan, which created a lasting impact on my lifestyle and led me to artivism as one of my main muses. Starting college, I was unsure if I could make a career out of art, so I kept the course to become a veterinarian with an art minor. Halfway through my degree, I realized my heart was happiest in the messy creative studio, rather than the sterile organized lab and I made my first big leap to become a full-time art student.
In my last semester of art school, I started internships in different parts of the art community which gave me connections and real world applications to my degree. After graduating, my internships turned into part time virtual jobs I juggled building my art business and attending art markets while working everything from art administration in galleries, vegan food trucks, event planning, to working at PETA coordinating and attending nationwide tours.
After a few years out of college, I was frustrated with where my life was and couldn’t shake a longing to create for a living. I didn’t want to wait until I was older, when I would wish I’d done it sooner. So, I took control of my life, took the leap to quit my desk jobs, and it now has made a complete 180 to me becoming a full-time independent contractor in all scopes of the art world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
That wouldn’t make for an interesting interview, would it? . In all honesty, what wasn’t a struggle? For a long time, I ignored signs from my intuition. I was living in a freeze state and irrational fear of everything, unable to speak up for myself, my needs, or desires and especially my art. I struggled with imposter syndrome, unsure of when or if I could call myself an artist. With time and experience, I proved to myself that I was capable and worthy of the dreams I had. I started feeling confident in not just my ability to make art, but to make a living by creating. And I took charge of my life.
It is a continuously evolving challenge to develop the different parts of me that are needed to make this all work. In addition to making the art, I have to manage all aspects of running a business including being my own accountant, advertiser, website designer, secretary and more. It becomes a lot of hats to wear and skills to learn while navigating the independent contractor artist lifestyle, but it is thrilling knowing that I am doing it all for what I love and am passionate about.
I believe the self-employed route I chose is the most triggering – but in all of the good ways I wish to grow. Working for my own business forces me to prioritize my health and my needs while also challenging my communication, time management, and self-motivation skills. It was tough to learn how to be selective with my time and energy, but that skill has empowered me to stay true to myself and my path, rather than overextend where I’m not meant to be. I wouldn’t trade this bumpy, exhilarating road for the passive one I was taking before.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I received my Bachelor’s in Studio Arts with a minor in Business from the University of Central Florida in 2021 and currently run a small business, Alexis Kayla Creations, LLC in Orlando, FL. My art practice includes murals, installations, commissions, live painting, and more, and I work as a scenic artist and a youth art instructor in the community. I love being part of so many sectors of the art world to understand how everything works together. Art has helped me connect with myself and the world around me.
I consider myself an artivist (artist and activist). Through a multimedia community-based lens, I create artwork that is intimately connected with the Earth as well as personal development. I utilize the powerful healing and storytelling properties of art to inspire conversation, collaboration, creative expression, and active participation towards creating a better world for everyone. Colorful, whimsical organic forms and pathways provide an invitation to explore the depths found within both my artwork’s composition and interwoven symbolism. My goal is to uplift and illuminate the inner and collective psyche. I often incorporate found objects, natural materials, or typically discarded objects to provide another life and meaning to them. Depending on what the artwork calls for, I utilize paint, sculpture, drawing, collage, and mixed media.
I am proud of my ability to transmute my experiences and emotions, both positive and negative, into the unspoken universal language of color and symbol. Through this creative catharsis, I release my attachments and empower others to dive the depths as well. Using art to conductor for soul connection and peering through the veil to the spiritual realm. I pour my heart into each piece, and I think that intentionality and care shines through in my work.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important part of my journey has been to maintain an open mind. With an open mind, I can listen and believe my intuition and heart will guide me on my path as it evolves. I’m also a big advocate of the “pursue your passion” mantra, with the caveat to not become rigid in what that passion will manifest into.
With every job, I chose ones that did more than pay the bills. They aligned with my passions in some way to be stepping stones to what I truly wanted. This mentality helped me stay focused in my goals and learn skills that I could apply to my business, so I was ready when my time came. I had to have faith when I quit my jobs that the art jobs that I was longing for, were waiting for me too.
The amazing part about life is we can plan for but never predict where we will be drawn. Open mindedness allows space for new, unexpected opportunities to come, and it is important to remain receptive to the new experiences. All in all, I allow flexibility and understand that life will take me on a course I never could have imagined, but I don’t lose sight or compromise in what is calling my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alexiskaylacreations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiskaylacreations/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-collum
Image Credits
Artist Headshot Photo Credit: T. Ramzy Photography
