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On the cusp of traditional: Taos-based Alex Chavez uses art to express himself
Alex Chavez鈥檚 confidence has grown with each brushstroke over the years.
The Taos-based artist is one of more than 100 New Mexico artisans selected for the New Mexico Artisan Market at Hotel Albuquerque of Old Town. The event kicks off on Friday, Nov. 24, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 26.
The market allows visitors to explore the rich arts and culture of New Mexico.
Artisans who are exceptional in their creative field will be selling a mix of contemporary and traditional handcrafted styles.
Chavez will bring his oil paintings to the market.
鈥淚 work in traditional oil painting techniques in the style of figurative realism,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y art celebrates the beauty of culture with a sense of bravado and experience brushwork.鈥�
Chavez participated in the New Mexico Artisan Market last year and found it to be successful.
He will bring 24 oil paintings and about 300-400 posters.
鈥淭hose sell really well because they make for great gifts,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he market helps open up my work to a diverse audience. The posters are of my oil paintings and it makes is accessible to many more people.鈥�
In his Taos home studio, Chavez will have art connoisseurs over to purchase the original paintings.
On the cusp of traditional: Taos-based Alex Chavez uses art to express himself
He says with each piece he creates, there is a goal in mind.
鈥淚 go in knowing whether I鈥檓 going to use a more expressive brush stroke or a tight brush stroke,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y style continues to evolve from a more expressive brushstroke to blending and softer edges. I try to combine all of that.鈥�
Chavez says he also aims to capture the soul within the paintings.
鈥淭he eyes are a focal point for me,鈥� he says.
Chavez was born and raised in Los Angeles, yet his mother鈥檚 family is from Taos.
During college, he was a graphic designer for many years as he refined his process for art.
He got married and had children and moved back to Taos.
鈥淚 would visit yearly when I didn鈥檛 live there,鈥� he says. 鈥淣ew Mexico continues to be a thriving artist community, and I worked on my craft and did the fairs on the weekend.鈥�
Chavez invested in real estate and by 2013, he was able to focus on art full time.
鈥淪ince I live in Taos, I get a lot of work done,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y studio is in the loft in the house and I鈥檓 often inspired by the mountain and the light. I bring those two influences together to create.鈥�
Chavez enjoys participating in the art markets around the state.
鈥淭hese days, I prefer staying close to New Mexico and doing indoor shows,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to worry about the weather. I enjoy traveling all over the state to showcase my art.鈥�
When he鈥檚 not participating in markets, he makes the most of his time creating art.
鈥淕ive me three hours along,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檒l create something beautiful. I get my best painting done in the morning.鈥�
