Interview by Jimon

1-Where do you currently reside and work?  Im currently based in Toronto, as a full time student in University.

2-How long have you been making art and what lead you to start?  I’ve been making art my whole life, but only started taking it seriously two years ago. Going to university for design actually inspired me to better develop my design skills.

3-Did you study art or is it inherent?  Both. I’ve always had a talent for art since I was in elementary school. Luckily, my school had an art program where I studied visual and digital art till I graduated high school (the program was six years long).

4-How would you describe Alexis Eke?  Alexis Eke is an illustrator and designer who illustrates black women in a contemporary light, and aims to use her unique style in any design field.

5-You have a Ladies series which I am enthralled by. What is the inspiration behind this series?  Nearly all of my work is of women. The inspiration behind using women in a lot of my illustration is due to the fact that I was mainly raised by women and was heavily influenced by them.

6-What is the medium you utilize the most?  Photoshop and Illustrator.

7-Do you imagine any narrative continuity for the characters in your paintings?  Definitely! I would love to create a comic book one day, possibly about how Alexis Eke all started. I think it would help or give motivation to other artist to pursue their passion.

8-Have you ever asked a buyer, why my art? What is it about your work that interests them?  I haven’t, but I will keep this question in mind in the future!

9-How do you define success?  To me, success is being able to experience the world and the luxuries it has to offer through your passion.

10-What kind of art hangs on the walls of your home?  A lot of landscape art, and a Frida Kahlo framed print.

11-What’s the best advice you’ve received about being an artist?   “don’t be afraid to add darker values”.

12-What influences you as an artist?  Music and personal issues influence my art and what I decide to create.

13-How would you like to be seen as an artist years from now?  I would like to be seen as a designer and an artist. Someone who has designed a wide variety of things (shoes, buildings, billboards, albums, clothing, etc.) with a distinct style that anybody can recognize.

14-If you could have dinner with three artists living/dead who would be at your table?   Frida Kahlo, Augusta Savage and Leonardo Da Vinci.

15-Three things you can’t live without in your studio?  I don’t have a studio yet, but as long as I have music, good food and comfortable clothes, I can make art for hours.

16-Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration?  Not really, I usually look at my own art for inspiration.

17-How would someone find you on social media?  On Instagram @alexis.eke