Alexandra Alvarez @alexillustra Interview | Respect the Artist
This interview was curated by START Shows
Alexandra Álvarez is an artist and entrepreneur who has lived in the United States for the past 10 years. Splitting her time between New York and Jersey City, she navigates two worlds: painting and curating art events, all with the goal of connecting people’s lives through art. Her artwork is characterized by the fusion of nature, graphic elements, and psychological themes, creating a powerful and deeply meaningful narrative. For Alexandra, art serves as a means of exploration and the search for answers, with her daughter being her primary source of inspiration.
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
It all started when I began to gain awareness, and the smell of oil pastels would take me to places in my imagination from which I could never escape. Since I was very young, my most vivid memories are of drawing and the smells of the materials. From an early age, I understood that art, painting, and drawing would be my passion for the rest of my life.
This is what led me to pursue a career in illustration. Later, working as a graphic designer, I never abandoned art and stayed very active by participating in exhibitions and any creative events that inspired my love for art.
In 2013, I took my first trip to New York City, which enchanted me with its lights, diversity, colors, and smells. NYC has always been known as the mecca of art... Two years later, I was packing, determined to follow my dream of continuing my art career in one of the cities with the most possibilities in the world. Ten years later, I am still here, in the continuous building of my dream, and proud that, as an immigrant starting from scratch, I have achieved what many can barely imagine reaching.
But the dream doesn't stop here. It is in constant evolution and maturation, to achieve the ultimate goal: to live 100% from my art and creativity.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?
The arrival of my daughter changed everything. Suddenly, I found myself pregnant and in a very complicated relationship. Combined with the loneliness and the death of my father in Venezuela, I was brought to a very dark place, from which art came to the rescue. The moment I looked into my daughter’s eyes, I knew my life would change forever. The inspiration you get from another life, pushing you to be better every day, the reality of leaving her a legacy, and the drive to be her role model—especially as a future woman in this crazy world—awakened all my survival instincts. The following statements accompany me every day: “Leave a legacy for my daughter” and “Even if it costs me everything.”
This power that comes from knowing another life depends on you creates something mentally powerful. This is how the Venezuela Art Fair was born. In addition to continuing to build my career as an artist, I’ve been able to serve my own community, helping them build their careers and dreams of exhibiting in New York City. It has filled my creative soul with even more purpose, where not only do I advance, but I assist many others in connecting with their artistic gifts.
As an artist, I’ve been able to exhibit at art fairs in various cities across the USA, have gallery representation, and even had the opportunity to exhibit internationally. All of this has been fueled by the drive my daughter has given me. Because if she sees her mom pursuing her dreams “no matter what,” she will have an example to follow in conquering her own.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
With a lot of patience and kindness towards myself. Yes, sometimes I get frustrated and saddened by not being where I want to be or not having enough time to create everything I want to create. I take a deep breath and remind myself that everything is temporary, and nothing is permanent. I know that soon I will reach that place called "success," and it will be my personal success, which is the most important. I am on my way, and I embrace the setbacks as small mountains along the path that require extra effort to overcome. Life’s journey isn’t a straight line, so every "pushback" is just an opportunity to gather more momentum to go farther and higher!
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
In the past, I was inspired by artists like Salvador Dalí, M.C. Escher, Hieronymus Bosch, and even Picasso with his immense fame during his lifetime. My father always supported my creative journey, and although he wasn’t an inspiration per se, his support gave me the strength to keep moving forward. Today, the only true inspiration comes from my daughter, who is both my muse and my model in many of my paintings.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
It’s truly difficult in today’s world, especially in city life, where the hours seem to never be enough, particularly with the responsibility of a young daughter. As I mentioned before, I am very patient and kind with myself. I try to keep my creativity active by drawing for at least 30 minutes a day, whether with a pencil or on my iPad. I paint for an hour whenever I can, without much planning, fitting it into any spare moment of the day. And if one day I can’t, I simply try again the next. I stay active by going to galleries and art events, and I work in the art world as a curator, event producer, and art dealer. I also work in the field of interior design. All of this keeps me close to my dream, learning from every environment I’m in, so that I can later bring all the pieces together to achieve that ultimate dream.
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
Self-doubt often arises, especially when you compare yourself to other peers. The solution to overcoming self-doubt is discipline in practice. When this happens, it’s usually because I’ve gone a long time without drawing or painting, or without selling any works. The doubts return, but I remind myself that in this life, everything is practice. "Practice makes perfect." So, I refocus on what matters: maintaining daily practice and a constant studio routine to evolve my art. The more I practice, the more confident I become in my abilities, and the doubt fades away.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
The most memorable moment of my career was the sale of my first painting in this country, which connected me to such a powerful energy that just days later, I sold my second one. All of this happened while the world was in a dark place during the pandemic. My passion and determination led me to reconnect with my art, with more discipline than ever before. With so many hours available during the lockdown, it also gave me time for creative reflection, and that’s when the powerful idea for the Venezuela Art Fair was born—to connect with Venezuelan artists locally. This idea and event moved Venezuelan artists from all over the world to participate in my event. The trust many artists placed in me, despite not being a famous person, filled me with infinite love, and it gave even more purpose to my life in this industry. My determination during dark times brought light to my career and to many others around the world. This alone gives me peace—the fact that I am recognized on the street for the Venezuela Art Fair (which is heading into its fourth edition this September at One Art Space gallery in Tribeca), and that my daughter looks at me with those eyes of pride, understanding that her mom is the creator of this movement, makes me feel that I have already achieved 50% of my purpose in this life.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
Just looking into my daughter's eyes brings all the power I need to keep going. Also, reading art books and attending art exhibitions are great ways to keep my motivation high. Sometimes, watching podcasts from successful artists helps me regain that energy and inspiration!
What dream are you living right now?
Currently, I can proudly say that I’m living my dream. With two solo shows already behind me, my art being showcased at Miami Art Week in 2024, as well as at various art fairs over the years in San Francisco, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Colombia, and Italy, and now, in 2025, my art is heading to Venezuela... In the meantime, I’m also in the process of producing the 4th edition of the Venezuela Art Fair after two years. It truly feels like I’m living the dream I once envisioned for myself—when I’m fully living off my art, that’s when I’ll feel completely fulfilled. But as I answer this interview, I realize I’m already living that dream in its entirety. It’s simply a journey to be traveled, with its ups and downs, but always keeping the goal in focus. Right now, I’m in the car, riding as a co-pilot. Soon, I’ll be the one taking the wheel.
I’m living all the dreams I’ve wanted—I work with art, I serve my community through art, I have my own art studio at home, and I continue to inspire my daughter through my art. Do I live off it? In 20%, yes, I do, but that only confirms I’m on the right path, and the 100% is just around the corner. For me, that’s the ultimate goal with my art. I’m deeply grateful to God for blessing me with these gifts and giving me the opportunity to live them.
Sometimes, I think it must be frustrating not to know your purpose or what your gifts are. But I already have those answers, and that alone is what makes me feel like I’m living my dream!
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?
The first thing I would say is: DO NOT QUIT! I’m 40 years old, and if there’s one thing I can tell anyone who feels like this isn’t for them, it’s that it is for you. What you dream of and feel burning inside you is your purpose in life, it’s your reason for being, and you should never let it go. We only have one path, one opportunity, and a limited number of years of youth to make it happen. No matter what situation you're in right now, believe me, I’ve been through very dark moments when I felt like my life wasn’t worth anything. But when you realize that this is the only life you have, and for some higher reason, you are here existing, you have to approach it with respect and love. This is not about sacrifice; this is about self-love and awareness of the fleeting nature of life.
So don’t waste time, wipe away your tears, and make a plan. The most powerful tool is to write down and plan your ideas. Don’t give up, don’t doubt, and don’t waste time. Do you need to take a break? Take all the breaks you need, but always come back to the plan. Write it down every day, dream it, feel it, and live it in your mind until it becomes your reality!
Photography credit: It's a paid photoshoot, so there's no need to add credits. Thank you!
Website: http://www.alexandralvarez.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alexillustra/
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/graficasaa/photos_by
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