We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Alvarez M and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexandra, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The most powerful decision I took to be successful with my projects was the will of wanted to leave a legacy for my daughter, so she can be proud of. The motherhood inspired me to become the best version of myself.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Art is what has kept me alive and inspired. It is what gives my life purpose and gave me light in my darkest moments. From a more personal perspective, my art speaks of my experiences, of who I am and of my internal struggles, but this expression has become an art that seeks to send a message of light to the world that inspires future generations.
I think that the fact that as an artist I put my ego aside to start working collectively is the most important thing that my art has achieved. Last year I heard a voice in my head saying that we should unite to achieve greater purposes.
To think that the artist is an individual being who can only live from the sale of his works is not entirely true. Coming out of this bubble, opening our perception to more global ideas that help us achieve collective success, I believe is the ideal that separates me the most from others. 2021 taught me that walking alone is fun, but walking accompanied is success for sure. I am no longer an artist trying to sell sub art, I am now a leader who works collectively to help us achieve our goals in the art world.
My biggest project as an artist has been my entrepreneurship as an art gallery production company. Since the Venezuela Art Fair Project was born in New York City in 2021, it has been possible to create a source of creative inspiration in Venezuelan art community all over the world.
Unconsciously (which is now conscious) I have continuously taken myself out of the comfort zone to make sense of my purpose, routine is the most toxic thing that can happen to a creative person. By putting yourself in an uncomfortable situations, you will react with more power than ever to achieve goals in an amazing way. I’m where I’m today putting myself in those uncomfortable situations to move forward. Moving to a different state, moving to a different country, quitting jobs and relationships, etc.
The path is difficult but not impossible. Artists must overcome the illusions of the mind to become a professional artist with discipline and professionalism. Challenges are overcome by confronting them, studying them, understanding them and taking actions to master them. Not believing the negative voices in your mind, working with discipline for your goals and putting order and strategy in your life (these things are worked on continuously, these are my day-to-day challenges).
I have learned that dreams are ideas that begin in the imagination but must become projects with many roots that must be worked on with a lot of discipline and constant work. I’ve been learning that I am not only an artist in love with her ideas, I must also be a business leader who makes projects be successfully completed. Dreams do not materialize if there is no discipline in the small actions that must be fulfilled on a day-to-day basis to achieve it.
I want anyone who reads this and has a project shelved to take it out, dust it off and start working on it with love, organization and discipline. No dream is “too crazy” or impossible. My story begins with a creative person who always seeks to be different, who has never accepted the word “cannot” and who works every day and strives to obtain what his imagination is willing to materialize. I would like all people to believe in his/her potential and exploit it to the fullest. That is what my venture Guaicora Studios LLC and the Venezuela Art Fair are about, it is a dream that began in the imagination and that with love and discipline materializes uniting so many creative souls who needed this inspiration to continue advancing with their goals in the world of art. If I can inspire a person with my actions, then the goal has been achieved.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Let me take you to a tour in Manhattan… Soho- here is where creative people all over the world meet. We can meet at 12 and walk around to check the best designer stores in the fashion industry. We can have lunch at Mercer Kitchen, then we can go for a tour to the galleries around, grab a coffee at Dominic Ansel Bakery to end our day walking around little Italy and Chinatown.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to the biggest project of my life called “The Venezuela Art Fair” which would have been impossible to carry out the two first editions in 2021 without a group of people that I’m thankful for they supporting and keeping this collective dream moving forward with their talents, ideas, work, and gifts: Zulimar Mendoza, Rey Castro, Daniel Galue, Yuri Uzcategui, Francieli Poleo, Karina Freites, Luis Acurero and Alex Siniscalchi. They are pillars on this project that unite the Venezuelan Arts around the world.
Website: https://alexandralvarez.com
Instagram: @alexillustra
Facebook: Alex Illustra
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC9zH6N8Em0KHf_G9PqouvMg
Image Credits
Hideki Aono Miler Angulo Hernandez