eric-alexander

[eric-alexander]

Europa & Io moons orbiting Jupiter, captured by the Cassini space probe | source                          

[eric-alexander]

Coffee Table #1. 2017

[eric-alexander]

1. Art requires time — there’s a reason it’s called a studio practice. Contrary to popular belief, moving to Bushwick, Brooklyn, this summer does not make you an artist. If in order to do this you have to share a space with five roommates and wait on tables, you will probably not make much art. What worked for me was spending five years building a body of work in a city where it was cheapest for me to live, and that allowed me the precious time and space I needed after grad school. 2. Learn to write well and get into the habit of systematically applying for every grant you can find. If you don’t get it, keep applying. I lived from grant money for four years when I first graduated. 3. Nobody reads artist’s statements. Learn to tell an interesting story about your work that people can relate to on a personal level. 4. Not every project will survive. Purge regularly, destroying is intimately connected to creating. This will save you time. 5. Edit privately. As much as I believe in stumbling, I also think nobody else needs to watch you do it. 6. When people say your work is good do two things. First, don’t believe them. Second, ask them, “Why”? If they can convince you of why they think your work is good, accept the compliment. If they can’t convince you (and most people can’t) dismiss it as superficial and recognize that most bad consensus is made by people simply repeating that they “like” something. 7. Don’t ever feel like you have to give anything up in order to be an artist. I had babies and made art and traveled and still have a million things I’d like to do. 8. You don’t need a lot of friends or curators or patrons or a huge following, just a few that really believe in you. 9. Remind yourself to be gracious to everyone, whether they can help you or not. It will draw people to you over and over again and help build trust in professional relationships. 10. And lastly, when other things in life get tough, when you’re going through family troubles, when you’re heartbroken, when you’re frustrated with money problems, focus on your work. It has saved me through every single difficult thing I have ever had to do, like a scaffolding that goes far beyond any traditional notions of a career.

Teresita Fernandez, “Commencement Address at VCU,” 2013 (via 4a0000)

[eric-alexander]

Potential Solutions For A Growing Mound      2014 

[eric-alexander]

This couch frame was a big undertaking for me.  I got it in my head one day that I would build every piece of furniture I owned and of course I had to start with one of the most difficult pieces. It took me a few months but it turned out decent. I've yet to actually use it. This is largely due to the fact that I now need to learn upholstery.  

[eric-alexander]

I made this end table during an apprenticeship at Greenwood Bay.  It was awesome being in a wood shop again. This particular design is the first of a collection that will include a bookshelf and a coffee table.  Maybe an entertainment unit? The frame is constructed of white oak and the shelves are painted grade A plywood. I used a no VOC water based paint from these guys;  http://newliving.net

[eric-alexander]

These, I took for my friends’ band, Lands and Peoples. They wanted press photos for their first tour, which was only a few days away.  We were all really pressed for time so we shot the whole thing in about an hour.  We went on a picnic first thing in the morning.  I told them to wear whatever they wanted and to bring along a blanket and their instruments.  I picked up a few snacks on the way to our location and off we were.  As the light got warmer I pulled out the camera and started shooting.  I did a little post work and done, press photos. 

[eric-alexander]

My friend Mariya was visiting Brooklyn for the first time and she wanted to have some modeling photos done while she was there.  I liked the calmness of her face while getting her make up done so I went ahead and started there. 

[eric-alexander]

Some time ago some friends and I decided to start a small business. Here are some images I took of the cool merchandise that was produced for our online store.  I'm no longer a part of this project, however these ladies are still producing some beautiful work.  

You can take a look here:

http://www.youngalexander.com