Alex Gross is a Los Angeles, California based artist who makes drop-dead exquisite paintings and mixed media paintings influenced by the world as he sees around him. He received a BFA with honors from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA in the year 1990.

He specializes in oil paintings that depict globalization, commercialism, darker side of life and brutal truth in a beautiful and poetic way. He has had six solo exhibitions so far.  He also exhibits his work at various galleries and participates in dozens of Group Exhibitions around the world.

His art is spectacular and has a huge fan base. Lets know more about him and his artwork by Alex himself. Get tuned in his interview below:

Alex, enlighten us with your wonderful artwork.

I think the artwork can speak for itself.

What are your paintings and illustrations influenced by?

I'm influenced by the world around me. I'm pretty influenced by advertising imagery, since it is inescapable in the world around us. And there is great beauty in some advertising. Since everything in the world is now connected with selling products, I feel that advertising is a really timely issue to be referencing in my work.

What motivates the artist with you? Is there anyone whom you look up to?

I feel the need to express myself and I have always liked to draw and paint. That's my simple motivation. and I also need to make a living.

Tell us about your books 'Discrepancies' and 'The Art Of Alex Gross'.

'The Art Of Alex Gross' was the first book of my work, about four or five years ago form now. It was published by Chronicle books and contains about 90 images. It covers around 8 years of work.

'Discrepancies' is my new book that covers the last 4 years of work. It was published by Gingko press and was released in conjunction with my last exhibition at the Jonathan Levine gallery in New York, September 2010.

I'm happy to have two books of my work. I'm particularly happy about 'Discrepancies' since it covers the newer work and reflects my direction better than the previous book.

When and what was your first creation?

I remember my first creation was a drawing that got thrown in the trash. One of the oldest creations I still have is a drawing I did at school. I still remember doing it and the process. They had us mount the drawing onto a piece of wood somehow. I still have it, or my mother has it. It's a drawing of myself sitting on a swing, and I've got a thought balloon, like in a comic book. In the balloon is a drawing of my dad, with long sideburns, which I guess he had back then. This is probably around 1972.

Wow! That's really cute. Which possession of yours is closest to you? And why?

I'm not the kind of person that is overly attached to possessions. I have a great deal of artwork in my home that I love, and they are all special to me. I would feel a great loss if they were to be destroyed in a fire or a flood. They are probably the most prized possessions that I have. Many of them were obtained in trade for my work, and some of them I bought.

What is your vision for your art as a whole?

I don't have a vision for art as a whole. I only am interested in my vision for my own work and where it goes.

Share one best compliment you've received for your work.

I can't think of anything specific. I have had several people email me photos of the tattoos that they got of my work on their body. That's pretty flattering.

Very cool! I am sure many artists would draw inspiration from you! What message do you have for them? What would you like to advise them?

Well, being an artist is a great life if you have the right personality for it. But it's very difficult and you have to have a great deal of self discipline. If you don't, then you will not succeed. But if you do, and you are comfortable with a lot of alone time and isolation, then go for it. It's a lot better than working for someone else. You make your own hours. No one can fire you. You can express yourself creatively and that's very satisfying. It helps a lot if you marry a person with a stable and well paying career, since it can be financially very difficult for a long time until you become successful.

Now, that's a very practical and precious advice given by you Alex. Thanks a lot for a wonderful interview. All the very best!

Visit Alex's website at AlexGross.com.

Visit Alex's Facebook Page at The Art Of Alex Gross.

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