Meet Alexis Nicole McDowell | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexis Nicole McDowell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexis Nicole, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Beauty is a necessity in our lives as much as bread and water. Quite often, we experience sorrow, pain or despair. Suffering is a part of all of us. However, beauty can be the antidote to this pain.

When we see something beautiful we are transported into a world free of those things and live, even for a moment, in joy and happiness. It is my hope to bring beauty to the people who look at my artwork and transport them into a lovely place.

I want to captivate them and help them feel at ease if only for a brief moment. I can show people the world as I see it, the natural beauty surrounding us can bring us peace and joy. We can immerse ourselves in it and be carried to a place of contemplation. Or perhaps we are reminded of a pleasant memory.

When we look at something that is pleasing, we lose a sense of self, we forget our current state. It is my hope to carry people away with beauty.

Plato said “Beauty is the sign of another and higher order, beholding beauty with the eye of the mind you will be able to nourish true virtue and become the friend of God.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It has been difficult to call myself an “artist”. I feel like, at times, I am an imposter. Is my art any good? Will I be able to keep creating? How is it that people keep asking me to make things? I am humbled by this. I am excited to finally be on a track that excites me and that makes my audience happy as well. It is wonderful when those two things finally merge! It has been a long road and I have tried so many different things, so it is really important to not give up trying. Doing what you love is really what matters and eventually, it comes together.

I think what really makes my art stand out is the colors. There are other travel posters out there but the colors I use are bright and cheerful and I think, especially in these times, that resonates with people. I hear people say that they are afraid of color, but I think I am showing that color can be your friend and can really make you feel wonderful. It can brighten your space and your mood and your day.

Life really is about the journey it is not the destination. Sometimes, horrible things happen to us and we wonder why. Why did that happen to me? But what I am realizing is that it opens the door to more beautiful things. It will bleed into something amazing. It hurts but it refines, and beauty is born.

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.
When my friends visit, I love taking them downtown! Highlands, the Golden Triangle, live music, a hockey game – I want to do it all. I would start out going to Linger in Highlands and walking across the bridge into downtown from there. I would check out the Museum of Contemporary Art for an exhibit and then have happy hour at their rooftop cafe. I would definitely do a tour of the speak-easies! We would have to take an afternoon and walk Broadway and check out all the fun shops. Then catch a movie at the Mayan. One night we would have to go to a concert at the Fillmore or maybe the Gothic. I would want to take them to some of the places on 17th to hang out, like the Thin Man or great neighborhood restaurants, off the beaten path. But Steuben’s and Blue Bonnet are old favorites, too. As for new, Ponti is my new upscale hangout. But if I want to blend, I would take them to the Cap City Bar behind the DAM. Oh, can’t forget Levan! As far as hanging out Punch Bowl Social is fun, but Pindustry is amazing. The Milk Market, Union Station, and I love to play pool – so Gerard’s Pool Hall is really fun. Coor’s Field and the surrounding area on game day would be a must. Then to recover from it all, a nice picnic in City Park or Confluence park with noschies from Marczyk’s Fine Foods would be fabulous.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother is the biggest supporter and constant source of wisdom, love, and kindness in my life. She has been through it all. As a result, she has been able to be an excellent guide to me. I am so thankful for the friend and mother that she has been to me through the years.

Website: www.alexisnicole.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexis_nicole.art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexismcdowell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexismcdowellartist

Image Credits
All artwork copyright AlexisNicole.art 2022