Aleix K. Murphy

ENT of the Week is..

Aleix K. Murphy

Freshman

Art Major

Twitter & IG: @xiela_

Aleix, when did you realize you were an artist?

"I began drawing early in life; to give you an exact age would be inaccurate. I used to take markers and draw things on all the walls in my room and just sit and look at my creations for hours. I liked how I could make two lines become one or how seeing certain colors beside each other made my mood change. Over the years I created many works of art, but I noticed that I looked at art differently once I got into middle school. We were in class reading a book on slavery and in the book there were illustrations of naked black women hanging. All of my classes laughed at the pictures or felt uncomfortable, but I found myself looking at the picture in a different light. I redrew the picture and showed my teacher and instead of applauding me on my maturity and artistic capability she called my parents and sent me to the guidance counselor. I guess I should have seen that coming."

Who would you say is your biggest inspiration?

"My biggest inspiration is my mother. My mother is talented beyond belief; she should have been pushed through art school and should have her own gallery somewhere by now. She has always been my biggest supporter and my biggest critique. Allowing me to follow my dreams and helping me in every way possible along the way. Since I have been in college my skills have developed and the things she would try to teach me are now being put to use. Without her I don't think I would have thought much about my artistic abilities, but because of her I have decided that I love nothing as much as I love art and I will pursue it to it's fullest capacity."

Do you have a favorite artist?

"I don't want to seem selfish in answering this question but I am my own favorite artist. I say this because, yes there are many artist that are inspirations to me and I am in love with their work, but I do not know them. I have seen myself grow from a very young age. No I'm not the best artist in the world but I am the best artist I know how to be. I can feel myself growing and I am learning things that will stay with me for the remainder of my career. No one else can give me that same feeling..the feeling I get when I learn a new technique, the feeling I get when I finish a piece that I have put my all into. Its so romantic and I feel like if you are an artist it is only right for you the be in favor of yourself and only be inspired by others."

Major accomplishments?

"The only major accomplishment that comes to mind is the sound of my mothers voice over the phone when I send her pictures of the things I have been working since being in college. She saw my talents at a young age and believed in me and I know it is as satisfying to her as it is to me to be a part of this growing process."

-Aleix K. Murphy