Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Lete.
Hi Alexis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
There’s no simple answer to explain how I ended up as an artist. It wasn’t a linear series of events, but something that was always inside me. When I was in third grade, I devoted my life to Christ, and from then on, I told God to use me as a vessel wherever He needed me. Easier said than done, by the way.
He took me to Europe to try out professional volleyball. He took me to LA to act in commercials and films. He took me back to my home state of Indiana to be the voice I wish I heard when I was younger as Miss Indiana USA. He had me cosplay as Wonder Woman to show the world that we can truly be whoever and whatever we want and find success in it as long as we keep pushing. He had me be a part of the modeling industry to prove looks are the least interesting thing about a person. He took me to Orlando to wrestle in the WWE, to teach me lessons and, after that chapter closed, to make me feel deeper to express myself through art.
Every previous experience has guided me to where I am right now – an artist in the Orlando area that specializes in foil paintings!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” is a quote by Franklin D. Rosevelt. I find that most things worth having in life come with a struggle. I recently gave a speech at my first pop-up art exhibition, which happened to be at the Mills Gallery here in Orlando, that began with the words “Every rainbow starts with a storm”. That is how my art journey really started, with mental struggle brought on by a cocktail of different life events and changes. (This is why my art page on Instagram is called “Figuring It Out Art”) The only thing that seemed to calm my anxious mind when I was struggling was when I went to work on a canvas. At the same time, the images I made felt like the only way I could express how I was feeling without judgment. To the outside world looking through social media, I was perfect, which was far from the truth. Each painting I create has a far deeper meaning than what is portrayed and is a metaphor for the human experience. Right now, my goal, more than a struggle, is to get as many people to see my art as possible, and encourage deep thinking accompanied with imagination and conversation. The Mills Gallery owner Boris Douglas Garbe talked about my work saying, “Her innovative work not only captivated a diverse audience, but also opened doors to a new wave of art enthusiasts.” Now I’m wanting to hone in on the right type of collector for my pieces to have a home where they are truly appreciated.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I absolutely love making large format artworks! Right now I specialize in portraits made with foil. Usually, people add foil as accents on their pieces or something that is a background. To actually color block and paint with the foil is something that I haven’t seen before. I originally came up with the idea to do this when I wanted to do something for Women’s History Month to show how women are multifaceted through my art. My technique makes the images come to life, depending on the light and the location where you’re standing, the image is constantly changing to either look rough or brighter. These pieces really show human evolution. They express how we are always changing and depending on how you know us and look at us, we will constantly look different.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I feel like all of my major childhood memories are involved in exactly what I’m doing now; exploring creative avenues, feeling deeply and always seeking adventure. My mom and dad used to take tons of videos of my brother and me when we were children, and a majority of them captured me dressing up and making crafts… so I guess some things never change!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.figuringitoutart.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/figuringitoutart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559707245143
Image Credits
Tom Egan
