Name: Alexandra Grounds
Age: 18
Title: Artist
Married/Single: single
Kids: none
City you live in: Scottsdale, AZ
A typical day in my life includes…
waking up at 7:30 for a work out, coffee, and breakfast, followed by 6 hours of painting with a lunch break. Evenings and dinner with friends and family! When I am at school though, class, class, and more class! Some painting fit somewhere in there. No matter how busy I am I always make time to hang out with my friends. I’m a people person.
I was born…
in Tucson, Arizona.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
the sunsets, and the smell of Creosote after it rains.
I’m listening to…
New Slang by The Shins.
My family…
I have two older brothers, Nick 21, Adam 23, two married parents, two dogs and a cat.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Princess Diana, one of the biggest female icons and a woman I grew up idolizing for her bravery and beauty, inside and out.
One thing I cannot live without…
my friends and coffee!
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
an actress. Hilary Duff was my hero!
I’m inspired by…
my high school art teacher, Tara Misenhiemer, who has shown me what It means to follow your art dreams no matter what It takes. She is a working artist in NYC, but hasn’t given up her passion of teaching and encouraging others to do the same. During my time at Exeter she was the only one that really believed in my art and she never allowed me to give up on it. She is the reason I have been able to pursue art and make it into something greater than just a hobby.
The one person who motivates me is…
my dad. He is the hardest working, most passionate person I know and he has always driven home the idea of pursuing your dreams no matter how hard you have to work to get there. My mom has also stood by me my entire life, always encouraging my creativity. When she recognized my talent, she put me through art classes with Phoenix teacher, Trish Mayberry, who allowed for my talent to develop. I owe so much of where I am to my mom.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
social injustice.
The perfect day would be…
my perfect day would consist of an LGO commuter sandwich, going on a run with my dad and our dogs, horse back riding, painting, friends friends friends, watching Harry Potter, and a beautiful Arizona sunset with my family.
My first job was…
interning and assisting with artist Richard Phillips in his studio outside NYC.
My favorite escape…
horse back riding. I grew up riding horses and no matter what mood I am in, a horse will lift my spirits.
My life…
is a constant adventure. I am taking a gap year right now, where I have gotten the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and meet tons of people from around the world. I value my friendships and family above everything, and with each year comes new, inspiring experiences and people that make It better.
I’m currently working on…
a portrait titled “Me Too,” displaying the innocence and aspirations of a young woman, in contrast with the pressures and pain she is experiencing along the way.
Always…
play Ed Sheeran. There is never a bad moment for Castle on the Hill. But also ALWAYS be confident.
Never…
let others dictate your dreams.
Favorite Quote…
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
Biggest Dream…
being able to travel around the world while fully supporting myself through my artwork!
My Pet Peeve(s)…
biting nails!
More about Alexandra…
I am an 18-year-old, large scale oil painter. My size-able portraits reflect my thoughts concerning the challenges and stereotypes that I have been exposed to as a young female. I am distraught over the pressures and expectations thrown upon teenage girls in our society. And, while I am a member of a community that strongly encourages the pursuits of my generation of capable young women, over- sexualization is inevitably woven into our social climate. The continual discussion of women in today’s society has emphasized their roles in popular culture as well, ranging in apparent value with varying forms of sex appeal. I have transferred this along with my feelings of powerless frustration into my artwork. Each of my portraits tells a story, and with my use of large canvases, vibrant colors, and visual effect, I catch people’s attention. The clarity of my artwork has become the way my voice stands out in a community of strongly opinionated people.
