Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexa Doebler. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Alexa Doebler (aka Blue Woods Design) is a self-taught mixed media artist living in Holland, Michigan with her husband & 2 kids. She loves art journaling, creating faces & trying new things in her artwork. She believes art should be an expression of self & that that includes a wide range of emotions, thoughts & experiences. From serious to silly, art can enhance our experience of this life & should be valued for the process of reflection & expression! Alexa is the Founder of MixedMedia Art School, a hub of art courses, inspiration & community. She not only creates art; she also teaches in her studio (The Art Garage) & hosts art retreats throughout the country (Paintbrushes & Palette Knives Art Retreats). Being creative & sharing that with others has always been a part of her journey throughout it all & she loves the connections made throughout her creative endeavors!
My journey started with teaching in the classroom. I was a middle school Reading & English teacher for 9 years. I then moved around the country a bit with my now-husband before settling down in West Michigan. During that time, I explored so much of myself. I became a cake decorator & yoga instructor. I tutored kids of all ages & taught enrichment. I worked at a bookstore in the kid’s department. I took pottery classes. It was a wonderful time of exploring where I wanted to go & what I wanted to become.
When we settled down here in Holland & I had 2 little ones at home, I began my art journey. It started with making things for their rooms & for friends, but quickly I discovered the online community of makers, art journalers & artists. I began creating every day & soon wanted to share it with people. Being a teacher by trade, teaching was the natural fit. So, I started a YouTube channel, started teaching online, & converted our garage into a teaching studio space for art classes, summer camps & art parties. The Art Garage had started just about 1.5 yrs. before Covid had us closed for 2 years. We’ve re-opened & are now having tons of response. The next big goal is to find a retail space & move the Art Garage into a permanent business space & grow even more.
As an artist, being a part of ArtPrize for the first time was such a huge moment. Connecting with local artists was just awesome!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, I think of everything as opportunity. Because art started as a hobby while I had little babies at home, there wasn’t pressure to make it something more. The more came truly organically. I’ve grown as an artist & as a business owner immensely through all sorts of trial and error. You never know unless you try. Has every class sold out & been wildly successful? No. But a lot HAVE! And it’s always both a surprise & a triumph when any small successes happen. I know that being an artist requires being vulnerable & putting yourself out there & though it can feel scary, it also can be the most rewarding thing you ever do. And the same can be said for starting a business. You just have to take the leap of faith & believe in what you are doing. Know that there will be things that don’t get the traction you expect, but know you’ll also be pleasantly surprised by some of the wins you didn’t expect.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for mixed media whimsical portraits & art journaling. I essentially never met an art supply I didn’t love, so I use them all! Being self-taught as an artist, exploring & trying new things is the way I learned from the start, so I tend to be an artist that doesn’t see limits. I am fearless in my art; I will try anything and not worry if it goes wrong. It’s all part of the process & leads to places I couldn’t have gotten without the risk.
I like to look at how art teaches lessons about life, so every part of the process can be reflective of life if we look at it right. And because of that, I find beauty in all parts of the process.
My style is ever evolving though plenty have said ‘I knew that was one of your girls’ no matter how I’m creating. There definitely is a look to my portraits that just is innately from me as an artist, so no matter the medium I’m into or the different style I’m exploring, there’s a thread of me in there that connects my work.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a sports girl all the way! Soccer was my passion & that was everything. Art is something that came about when I was 30 years old… and it surprised everyone who knew me because it had never been a part of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Bluewoodsdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluewoodsdesign/ ; https://www.instagram.com/theartgarageholland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluewoodsdesign/ ; https://www.facebook.com/theartgarageholland
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_9DZyuUxrxjrRQl1vdyvAg
