Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Moran.
Hi Alexandria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
All through my adolescence and into college, I always felt this very strong need to express myself through different art forms. Painting, film, sketches, writing. After graduating with a degree in film and advertising from Grand Valley, I found myself in corporate America where art and creativity quickly became not only part of my job, but my decompression activity after work.
Very quickly, my hobby art began piquing the interest of friends, family members, and colleagues. I was getting requests for pet portraits, greeting cards, art prints, house illustrations, and more. This work truly energized me, inspired me, and allowed me to feel completely myself. It also challenged me and terrified me. That’s how I knew it was time to really give it my all and make my art a career, not just a hobby.
I left my Marketing Director job at the end of January 2024 and launched my brand Big Al Vibes.
The first several months were spent in deep discovery of modalities of all sizes – air-dry clay, watercolor, digital work, brand development – I spent all of my time diving into what was possible. My first big project on my own came in the form of a mural at a friend’s new restaurant opening in southern Illinois. I packed up and rented a space for a month while I embarked on this new medium, so grateful for the opportunity to try something new. One mural led to the next and I have now completed 5 murals, my largest one topping out at 120 feet by 8 feet. I never would have believed someone would give me the opportunity to create on almost 1000 square feet of blank space for their office.
Today, I am working on a window installation at Arts Marketplace in Studio Park for World of Winter, experimenting with fun new mediums when I am not working.
My next big dream is to host a gallery show in 2027 with all original pieces.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I left my corporate job in January 2024 to start my business Big Al Vibes, I quickly realized I was leaving more than just a job; I was leaving behind structure, stability, and a steady paycheck. I was also going from working with a team to being responsible for all aspects of the business.
In the early months, the freedom felt incredible, but it also meant working long hours, juggling tasks I had never done before, and constantly learning on the fly. Even more so when it came to executing the murals and recreating my designs at such a large scale.
Of course, there were days when I questioned whether I made the right choice or if my business could be successful. But gradually, with each new partnership and each new design, I began shaping not just a business but a brand and a creative community that felt authentic and true to me. That process, with all its uncertainty and growth, has such an exciting and fulfilling part of the journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for customized digital prints, edgy greeting cards, and colorful murals. My mural style is representative of “Modern Geometric Abstraction” and incorporates hard-edge painting techniques in a pop cubist stylization. I pair this with elements of realism which helps take a company’s brand and their building to the next level. Having over 10 years of experience in corporate branding and marketing, I’m able to incorporate that knowledge and perspective into the design for my clients. When a business invests in a mural, they should not only receive something eye catching but also a visual that tells their brand story and communicates who they are to their community. With each project I finish, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride knowing that I was able to contribute a piece of art that brightens the community it’s in.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I hope to continue bringing my murals to different cities and states around the country. Art is essential to communities because it strengthens social bonds, preserves cultural identity, stimulates local economies, and enriches overall well-being. It serves as a universal language—bringing people from different backgrounds together through shared stories, shared spaces, and shared experiences. By sparking creativity and transforming public environments, art helps create neighborhoods that feel more vibrant, connected, and alive. It is my goal to continue to share my art with all who can enjoy it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.itsbigal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big_al_vibes/
