“I usually get a little weird when trying to define what my art is and what I do so I tend to just say that I paint stuff.”
Alexis Marie Cortez, more commonly referred to by the name Luna, is what we may call a “contemporary figurative painter,” even though she isn’t sure of how much that reigns true.
Honestly, I’m not exactly sure how I discovered Luna. What I do know is: the second I did find her (on what I’m assuming is Twitter), I fell in love with her art.
She told us, “I usually get a little weird when trying to define what my art is and what I do so I tend to just say that I paint stuff.” And paint she does.
We’re kicking off Women’s History Month with one of my favorite artists right now- an artist who creates naked ladies and fruits.
“There are tons of things that inspire my work and myself but recently I would have to put a large emphasis on my peers. I’ve been lucky enough to have encountered and befriended some of the most talented people. Being able to see their work processes and techniques and accomplishments is a huge drive,” Luna explained to us.
Q: What made you turn to art?
I have been a relatively artsy person since before I can remember. When I was maybe four years old my family bought me a painting easel and by the time, I was seven or eight I was put into art classes. Though I have to say I wasn’t there for long (maybe a year or two).
From 9 years old up until the end of high school, I didn’t want to do anything artistic at all. Sure, maybe it was something I was good at but it wasn’t something I ever thought I could pursue seriously. It wasn’t until I started college that the concept of becoming an artist seemed like something that could be attained.
Q: If you’re not creating art, what are you doing?
Truthfully, I don’t spend as much time creating as I should be. It’s actually rather sad how much time I usually have for it. I’m currently a college student so when I am not creating, I’m usually either at school or at work. If I’m really lucky I’m either sleeping or spending time with my family.
Q: How has creating art changed your view on the world around you?
Creating art has changed my view in such a way that I see colors more? It’s weird to say or even acknowledge but when I look at things, I start to create a color pallet in my head of what colors it would take to create whatever it is I’m looking at. Most times I don’t even realize that I’m doing it.
When I first started painting it was something, I forced myself to do so that I was able to separate colors within an object. Something I truly suggest as a form of practice
Q: What advice would you give your younger self? Along with this, what advice would you give a newer artist?
If I were able to give any advice to my younger self, it would be to just draw. Draw anything, draw something, create something. You spent so many years not doing anything and it’s understandable but you’re going to feel like you’re behind and it’s going to be hard to catch up. For those of you just starting out I would say, Art is a very tricky area to jump into, and you can’t expect it to be easy. Actually, it will be frustrating at first, you’re going to make things that are good and some that aren’t. You also can’ t expect everyone to like what you do, and you can’t expect everything you do will be a masterpiece. And to that I would say make things that you enjoy, make art that speaks to you, make art that speaks to others, really just make art. Over time you will find your artistic voice within that, but it won’t come over night. Just make something.
Luna described Loribelle Spirovski as one of her favorite female creators because, “there is something just so astounding about her work.” Out of curiousity, I looked up Loribelle Spirovski. And what Luna shared with us about Spirovski and her work is true with me too- it is motivating and inspiring. Luna said, “I’ve been following her for many years now and every time she does something, I’m more awe than the last. It’s motivating in the same way it is with my peers, you see these amazing people create amazing things and it’s like a domino effect, you just want to make something great too.”
When asked on what advice she has for other women in art, she responded with the most honest answer. Luna says, “My advice would to be to reach out to other creative women. The best thing you could possibly do is create a support group of creative peers, and there is no one better to ask than those who are already doing it. It’s a small community of us trying to achieve the same thing and it’s tough out here– know your worth, keep pushing and create things that move you.”
In 2020, there is so much she is hoping to accomplish. She just want to make art that she enjoys. One of her main priorities is to expand the (Women in Chairs) L’état de vie seires.
You can connect and view more of Luna’s art on both Instagram and Twitter.
Not only do I recommend doing that, head over to her website to explore! She has a shop of fine art prints, stickers, buttons, and more. Opening her shop has been her most meaningful experience so far. She shared that, “when I first opened it [her online shop] a year ago, the idea of people wanting to own the things that I made was indescribable. It still blows my mind when I’m anywhere and I happen to come across someone with my art on their water bottles or their phones.”
