Alexandra Zeres Interview | Respect The Artist
How did you get your Artist name?: It's my real name, so there's actually nothing special about it. I just use @alexandra.zeres.art on Instagram :)
How did you get into creating?: I have been drawing and painting most of my life, honestly. I can remember going to the kindergarten (I only went for about 2 days) and only drawing and nothing else. The teacher was impressed with my skills, considering I was barely 4 years old. But then growing up I just did a couple of drawings now and then, nothing too serious, because even if I loved it, I felt restrained by the lack of quality materials (or so I thought) available on the market. I can still remember now how I was in college and saw the 120 wooden box set of Polychromos coloured pencils and thought I could never afford them, and then I was gifted one years later. So I decided to put them to good use and start creating more professional and realistic artworks. It's been almost 3 years since then and I think I have improved a lot, but there's still room for more.
How has creating changed your life?: Since it's always been a part of my life, I can't say that I have noticed major changes, but becoming a part of the Instagram artists community, it sure has opened up a few doors for me. I was able to make new friends who share my passion and was also contacted by companies that I had basically never dared to dream of being put in touch with. Seeing people's praises on my work sure does help brighten up a more gloomy day, and I also love helping people out with advice of every sort on art and supplies and techniques, whenever I have the time to do so.
Where are you from?: I'm from a very famous place called Transylvania, which is a region in my country, Romania. I have no idea how many people actually know that, since my country is not incredibly famous around the world unless they talk about Vlad Tepes (Dracula).
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?: My town is small and there are basically no art stores here. I buy everything online and sometimes this can be frustrating, but this probably helps me appreciate what I have a lot more. It's a quiet neighbourhood, though, so usually nothing major happens here that could disturb my day to day life.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?: I practiced. A lot. I know this sounds very cliche', but there's basically no other way in which I can explain it. There are so many people who want me to share my "secrets", but I like to think that there are none, really. It's always about practice and patience, and if you add a touch of quality art supplies, the results will surely come eventually. I watched YouTube tutorials, I followed my favourite artists on Instagram, tried to pay attention to how they did this or that, tested it out on my own and kept going forward. I did also buy some art books, but those are not totally necessary considering the amount of information you can find these days online.
What does your current setup look like?: I don't really have one. I work on a small desk with natural light coming in from the side, but it's a bit difficult to work at times. I hope to be able to get a better one soon.
Who inspires you? Why do they inspire you?: I'm always inspired by hard working people, no matter the field. I look up to athletes, mathematicians, scientists, astronauts, painters. If a person is passionate and hard working, they're a huge inspiration and motivation for me to want to move forward and improve in what I do.
What is your goal when you create? : I just want to be satisfied with the level I am at. I always know there's room for improvement and I don't look for perfection, even though I draw realistic portraits. Besides, mistakes can be fixed most of the times, and if not, one can always start over. I don't feel like I need to please anyone, because so far I am not selling my work, so it's a hobby that's supposed to bring me joy, first and foremost.
Why do you create?: Because I enjoy it quite a lot. There has never been a period in my life when I wasn't creating something. I do consider myself an artistic person, it's what I think I'm best at.
What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?: I've never had a go-to song because I don't listen to music all that much. I like to create art either while chatting on the phone with a friend, listening to an audiobook or watching an art documentary. I like listening to music when I'm on the road, I associate it with movement in general, either when by car or by foot, or when I'm in a bar or at a party (which doesn't happen too often).
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?: I want to find the style that represents me the most and I want that to reflect a part of my personality. So far I've been experimenting with different styles and subjects, but I feel that I haven't yet found myself in art, so I guess that's what I dream to achieve. If I can also sell my work one day, it would be fantastic. As for steps, I try to draw as often as I can, if not daily then at least a few times a week. Only practicing can help you move forward and closer to your goal.
What is the best advice you would give someone? : In art and in life as well, be yourself, don't copy others and don't try to always please everyone. If you do it, you'll lose yourself in the process and you'll end up regretting it eventually.
Tell us about your most recent release: My work is posted mainly on Instagram, I have never published my art in a gallery and I have been drawing quite a lot this year, especially during quarantine. Lately I've been contacted by quite a big company and they have sent me some of their supplies to test out. I'm still working on that piece right now, whenever I have the time.
But I can talk about my favourite artwork that I have completed recently, the drawing that I'm most happy with. My style is usually realism, combined with different elements such as birds or flowers that are more stylized, but it varies from drawing to drawing. I like to create my own image of inspiration by coming up with a collage, therefore making my piece somewhat unique. I am a bit disappointed when I see so many young artists always drawing the same thing over and over again, so I try to steer away from the popular subjects as much as possible. There's nothing incredibly creative or imaginative about my portraits (yet), but I have been trying to perfect my technique before I can settle on a style of my own.
Share a link to your most recent release: https://www.instagram.com/p/CC5jL3ihRZa/
Stereotype Co’s mission is to shine light on dreamers around the world.
Your support helps us continue make a difference.