2010 / Dirty Durty Diary / Interview
Alexis Ayala is a New York based emerging artist and writer. He is also currently working on several self illustrated and authored Children’s Books. As a Puerto Rican born and raised in the Mid-west, it’s no wonder Alexis Ayala’s view on the world has been a little less than typical. In suburban city of Rockford, Illinois; back at the age of 16, Alexis was goth. Not because everyone else was goth. It was just what he was into at the time; Nine-Inch Nails, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Horror movies. A couple of years later, the goth phase was over; but his tastes never changed. And this is evident in his work today. Alexis’ art is largely influenced by dark themes and macabre characters. Mary Talato had a chat with Alexis for us recently.
Q&A
Q: Your latest work was of Classic Movie Monsters? How did this come about?
A: I’ve always loved Classic Movie Monsters. I mean, I had two cats; one named Bela and the other named Lugosi (Lego for short). I guess I’ve always kind-of been looking for an excuse to do a project on them. There’s something about the character designs that have more charm than your typical monster designs of current films. Since my exhibition was in October (Halloween), I figured what better time to do movie monsters than that? It was exactly what I was waiting for.
Q. Why watercolor? What is it you like about it?
A: I’ve always loved the look of watercolor. There’s a texture you get from it that’s impossible to create in other mediums. Also, I enjoy the technique and how it can be very difficult and extremely easy all at the same time. I like watercolor because it has the perception of being a traditional medium; there are not so many contemporary artists who choose to use it (although that perception is changing more everyday). It’s the most unique of the painting mediums in my opinion. There are things esthetically which I do not like when using acrylics and oils. I find that acrylic textures can look plastic. Call me biased, but there isn’t a single thing I dislike about working with watercolor.
Q: The fine detail in some of your paintings are sometimes mistaken for detailed pencil work or even photography, how do you achieve this look?
A: By sacrifice. I have a store of virgins that I burn at an altar every time I paint. Also, I use a very small brush and paint slowly. But mostly it’s because of the water. Doing a wash and slowly adding color into it can create very natural feeling skin textures and gradients for shadows as the paint diffuses into the water. This can take me a long time as I usually work from light to dark very, very slowly.
Q: Do you only paint in monochrome? If so, why?
A: If I can help it yes. I’m not an extremely colorful person. I mean, I used to be goth. But personally I just think watercolor lends itself to monochromatics naturally more so than other mediums. I prefer monochromatic art and with watercolors I love the results it gives me.
Q: Other than your obvious talent for art. Do you have other skills worth mentioning?
A: I suppose that depends on who you ask, but I do love writing creatively and writing music. Mostly I write children’s books, in a Shel Silverstein/Dr. Seuss sort of way where everything rhymes. I don’t know why but I love rhyming. I’ve always had a soft spot for stories that rhyme so I tend to do a lot of that. Writing children’s books allows me to write about seemingly absurd things and get away with it. Where else can you write about a 8 foot, furry monster named “Charles”, with a balloon named “Bob” as his best friend? Also, I’m super awesome at climbing on things.
Q: Who is your biggest influence?
A: I suppose I don’t have one big influence, I have several people who have influenced me more than others over various mediums. Edward Gorey, Shel Silverstein, Dr Seuss; love their art and writing styles, and Salvador Dali; for his surreal concepts. I remember growing up reading and re-reading books such as “A Light In The Attic”, “Where The Sidewalk Ends”, “Green Eggs and Ham”, “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” over and over again. It was a big part of my childhood and I feel it’s had a big part in shaping my tastes today.
Q: You were recently discovered by a big publishing Company (which for now, will remain un-named) on a blog you didn’t even know you were on. How did you feel when this happened to you?
A: I really didn’t know what to feel. It’s like it wasn’t happening to me. Almost as if I was watching a TV episode of my life. I mean, I am aware that social media has really grown exponentially over the past few years as another source for information and advertising, but it didn’t really occur to me how blogs have become so powerful as a means to showcase yourself and your work until that moment. It’s nice to get reaffirmation of you doing something worth having every now and again.
Q: What ‘floats your boat’?
A: I love to cook, play video games, spend time with my wife doing absolutely nothing, watch an obscene amount of films, read more books than is healthy, spin in circles till I get so dizzy and fall over, take long hot showers, jump on the bed, pretend I’m a robot, obsess about technology, devise evil megalomaniacal plots about taking over the world, wish I had a puppy to play with, write and play music, dress up as a dinosaur and terrorize my apartment with a prehistoric vengeance, drink wine or beer, watch cartoons and float boats.
Q: Where have you lived? And where is your favorite?
A: My family is originally from New York. I was born in Rockford Illinois which is right outside of Chicago. I moved to Chicago when I was 18 and later moved to Miami Beach Florida where I lived for 5 years. Currently, I live in Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn is certainly my favorite so far. I plan on living on the moon one day so I imagine that’ll be awesome.
