Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Lynn.
Hi Alex, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my business during Covid. I had a handful of artists and a couple mentors at Warner Brothers and Walt Disney Amination Studios that I was networking with and picking their mind about how they sold things and marketed themselves. I was one of the thousands of educators that suddenly had months off of work due to the pandemic. That gift of so much time and and opportunity to re-evaluate life led to me taking a risk on myself and started developing a business plan that started with starting an Etsy and selling prints or some of my art.
Admittedly, I did not know how to market myself in the beginning and had no plan for what I wanted to bring into spaces with my abilities. I’m proud to say that through a lot of adversity and difficulties, I found my spot (artistically speaking) I’ve been afforded opportunities to travel all over the state of Michigan and beyond, tackle a wide variety of projects and events, Freelance Illustration and Graphic Design, Gallery Work/ Curating my own shows, Caricatures at events, festivals, weddings, and mural work is what I’ve been specializing in the last 5 years of my business’s growth.
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?
It has not and I honestly love the fact that it wasn’t easy! I always tell people, and especially kids, that if you love something enough and put your all into it, it will always love you back. Anyone who knows me, or has even met me for a handful of minute’s knows that my art is my passion. It’s something I love more than anything and with that comes the process of becoming a better artist and refining your craft at all costs. Managing the highs and lows, and people not seeing your vision or believing in you. Most importantly, knowing how to navigate failure. I have been blessed with many cool opportunities, jobs and a path to make something of my passion. There’s been a lot of failures both big and small along the way that have shaped my mindset and my main goal of trying to be a little bit better everyday, and connect with as many people as possible with my art.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have a variety of things I tackle with my business, but, the main ones are Illustration/Graphic Design, Caricature, and Gallery Exhibitions/ Curation. I also do a lot of freelance and commission work for clients. Last year I did some graphics/ illustration work for the Detroit Pistons. I have done art for for Joe Gatto from “Impractical Jokers” for his podcast. I’ve done caricatures and live artwork at about 50 weddings over the last 4 years. The things I am most proud of are some of the solo exhibitions and gallery shows I have been apart of or helped curate. My show “Cartoons N’ Cocktails” held at Muse GR last summer in Grand Rapids was one of the biggest things I have ever taken on. I had cartoon themed/ nostalgic artwork from 40 different artists from all over the country on display for a special one night only show. It sprung from a little idea I had and was able to get it approved. I marketed, it, curated and hung everything up, did my research and even made a list of exclusive cocktails, Everything went through me, and it was a dream come true to have so many come through the show young and old and see the artwork of so many talented people . My goal was to make it the ultimate night of connectivity and creativity and I’m proud to say that I was able to make that happen with the support of so many people.
A second one is happening in July. I told myself that I wouldn’t do another one unless I was able to come up with an idea to make it bigger and better. I think I found a good angle, new energy/ artists, and I am looking forward to learning from the successes and failures of the first show to make this one even better!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My business Instagram is @A.lynn909. I post a lot on there and my Linktree
https://linktr.ee/alexlynnart
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/alexlynnart
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.lynn909
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-lynn-929a29a7
