Meet Alexandria Gates | Psychic Medium & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandria Gates and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandria, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Fortunately in my life I was surrounded by creatives, at a young age I started to dive into the creative world to find what my niche so to speak would be and found myself involved with some great communities. Those communities taught me that creative expression is not only incredibly healing in terms of mental health, however there are opportunities behind every corner that help expand the sense of community and growth. While I never really anticipated utilizing my creativity for a living, when I became disabled I was thankful because it gave me an outlet to focus on while my body was getting used to not being able to perform in the ways it normally would. As basic, and unoriginal it sounds art has saved me in more ways than I can recall, and without it I don’t think I would be in the position I am in today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As they say, most artists you may come across are more than likely starving artists. Considering the fact that art is subjective, while my work may be stunning and stands out from the rest what I have come to learn is it takes time to get to where you want to be. My mandalas are different, unique and stunning in every way, however finding the right space to share your work is easier said than done. It’s easy to walk in to Target for example and see a print of a squiggly line on white canvas and say “Fast Art is unfair to actual artists.” However, I also look at their work and say “If they can do it, I can do it.” It’s never going to be easy, it’s never going to be simple. It takes time to apply to galleries in hopes that they love your work, it takes time to build your name and get your art seen, it takes time to understand that not every opportunity is a great opportunity. As pointed out prior in the interview, art saved me and my hope is that others can find the peace within creation as well. In moments of darkness, even if you can’t fully see the end of the road don’t be afraid to sit down and utilize any form of creation to pour your heart in to, you’ll find that the answer is typically closer than what you imagined. Starting my journey in the creative world helped me recognize that despite the trauma, pain and PTSD, I still have something to live for, and at the end of the day – What is a life worth living if you don’t allow yourself to find something to live for? Even if I die before receiving recognition like Monet for example, I know that my work has impacted at least one person and that a dream worth living.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Colorado, one of the most stunning places with so much to do. If we were in Denver I would absolutely have to start the week off at MeowWolf, their cafe is amazing for a quick bite to eat and there is no denying how phenomenal the immersive art is making it there perfect first stop for the start of a trip. Considering the fact that MeowWolf can absolutely take up the entire day, afterwards we’d make our way down to Colorado Springs so we could get a bite to eat then go relax. The next morning would be more of a leisure type day, with Amy’s Donuts on the agenda for the first stop. While it may not be the best breakfast, they are hands down the best donuts in town…some might say comparable to Voodoo Donuts. The difference is, Voodoo Donuts always has a wraparound the building line based in Denver, and Amy’s Donuts is a Hidden Gem local to Colorado Springs. After that we would take the day to cruise into the mountain towns, really soaking in the beauty that is Colorado, and from there I would let my friend give a compiled list of what they’d like to do, because at the end of the day, just because I love something doesn’t mean my guest wants to do all of the same things.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This Shoutout is dedicated to my mother, husband and creatives whom having given me the confidence to continue facing my dreams. Without this support I’m confident that I wouldn’t be where I am today, I’ve struggled seeing my own self worth for so long that having this support system has taught me that no matter what I put my mind to, I can absolutely grow, learn and succeed.

Website: www.leesmagickandwitchery.com