"Hope" Artist Interviews Series Six

By Roxanne Phillips

We are pleased to present our sixth series of interviews with artists whose works are featured in our current virtual/online exhibit presented by Art Saint Louis, "Hope" (February 1-April 1, 2021). You can view all the virtual exhibit as well as all 48 featured artworks on our website here and in our Facebook album here.

We proudly introduce you to featured artists Alejandra Velasco, Randy Simmons, and Sarah Cannon.
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ALEJANDRA VELASCO

Featured in Art Saint Louis’ virtual exhibit, “Hope”: Alejandra Velasco, St. Louis, MO. “Together we stand.” 2020. Mixed Media on Canvas, 48”x60”. $2,900.
Artist’s statement: “Despite the differences between people, if we work together we can accomplish many things.”

About the artist: My fondness for art began at a young age in Colombia, South America, where I expressed myself by painting and drawing on anything I could find. Today, I enjoy experimenting with various styles and techniques, and teaching others where possible. Art to me has been an escape which opens an immense creative universe to explore infinite possibilities; it is a way to express intricate feelings and emotions that allow us to connect as human beings in a complex world.

Alejandra Velasco. “Sacred.” Metal Embossing, Oil on Panel, 12.5”x18”. $675.

Roxanne Phillips: Why do you make art?
Alejandra Velasco: Art makes me feel alive and it drives me. Art allows me to express complex feelings and emotions. It allows me to create a universe of infinite possibilities and allows me to connect with the world.

Alejandra Velasco. “Tropical.” Oil on Canvas, 42”x38”. $3,500.

RP: What is the biggest point of inspiration for your artwork?
AV: Life. The memories and emotions of all of life’s beautiful moments, the hardships, the love, the human connection, and the hope that keeps us all moving forward.

Alejandra Velasco. “Lemons.” Oil on Canvas, 36”x24”. $1,800.

Alejandra Velasco in her St. Louis studio.

RP: What was your career path? How did you get from being an aspiring artist to doing it?
AV: No matter what obstacle I have faced in life, I have always been able to return to art and use it to express myself. Studying fine art was always a dream of mine, and while I was able to study for some years in Colombia, I took a pause to raise my children as we immigrated to United States. Between work, school and life with children and now grandchildren, I’ve still been able to carve some time over the years to continue to make art. I know first-hand it’s not always easy, but I encourage everyone to never give up. While everyone’s path is different, I encourage everyone to keep trying because the world needs more art and creativity.

Alejandra Velasco. “Colorful.” Pastel Technique, 9”x12”. $250.

RP: What is it about your preferred medium that you enjoy the most?
AV: I have two preferred mediums. One is mixed media, because it allows me to combine different styles and techniques in a single piece. The second medium is metal embossing. I learned this technique from my mother when I was a child. This is simply a medium that I find to be elegant and timeless and is very dear to me.

Alejandra Velasco. “Balance.” Mixed Media on Canvas, 60”x48”. $2,900.

RP: On what are you currently working?
AV: I have a few projects now. I am working on an abstract collection named “Connection”. It will be made up of 15 small 11”x14” mixed media abstract pieces. I am also finishing a big format abstract painting collection. I am also planning for a solo exhibition in the future, which will feature a female protagonist in a style that characterized my childhood. After the pandemic has subsided, I want to work on sustainability in my community by recycling products into art that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

St. Louis-based artist Alejandra Velasco.

Learn more about Alejandra Velasco: www.alejandravelasco.com and www.instagram.com/velascoart18 and www.facebook.com/AlejandraVelascoArt
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RANDY SIMMONS

Featured in Art Saint Louis’ virtual exhibit, “Hope”: Randy Simmons, Paducah, KY. “The Church At the Back of the Closet.” 2020. Charcoal, White Conté on Paper, 56”x43”. $3,700 framed.
Artist’s statement: “The image came from the beginning of the pandemic lockdown in spring of 2020. I was a bit overwhelmed with the isolation and break in daily life patterns. On my shirt is a large biking logo. The title was taken from my smartphone when it transcribed a voicemail into text and botched it with the line “This is the church at the back of the closet calling for Randy Simmons…..”.”

About the artist: Born in western Kentucky, I grew up on a tobacco and soy bean farm with an older brother and a younger sister. My escape came when I started taking art classes at Murray State. I graduated with a BFA in painting, 1988, from Murray and an MA in drawing, 1991, from Murray too. In 1995, I left the University of Cincinnati with an MFA in Drawing. I have two sons: one is musically inclined while the other is in visual arts. I currently work for the Paducah School of Art and Design and I teach study abroad programs in Europe and Central America.

Randy Simmons. “Faust Arp: Thought You Had It In You But No.” 2018, 48 x 36, Charcoal and White Conté, $3,500.

Roxanne Phillips: Why do you make art?
Randy Simmons: It’s amazing therapy.

RP: What was it that first prompted your career/activity as an artist?
RS: I took a drawing class my first semester at Murray State University. I could swear I was going into science. I fell in love with drawing. I told my Dad that semester I wanted to be an artist. He replied with silence.

Randy Simmons. “The Long Way Home.” 2020. Charcoal, White Conté, 48”x48”, $3,800.

RP: What do you do to support your art and how does that impact your art practice?
RS: I teach basic drawing and life drawing classes at an art school. I always feel like I don’t know enough about anything. I fear one day they’ll realize I have no clue what I am doing. I’m not sure what I’m doing. Does anyone?

Randy Simmons. “You and the Clouds.” 2020. Charcoal, White Conté, 47”x47”. $3,800.

RP: What is the biggest point of inspiration for your artwork?
RS: When I was twenty (1986), I saw in person Caravaggio’s “Supper at Emmaus” at the National Gallery in London for the first time. That was a game changer. I went back many more times to study it. Since then, I’ve traveled to enough museums to have seen nearly everything he’s done.

RP: Do you have a sketchbook? What kinds of things do you put in it?
RS: Yes, but I’d call it an idea book. Everything goes in it including life planning. I would label my phone as one too being that I photograph things I find interesting. The iPhone has been crucial.

Paducah, Kentucky-based artist Randy Simmons' studio.

RP: Describe your dream studio.
RS: The one I work in now. It’s separate from my house and I have a great stereo system in it. If I could only get an assistant to make frames for free.

Randy Simmons. “Radiohead: Self Portrait in Rome.” 2017. Charcoal, White Conté , 44”x30”. $1,700.

RP: What qualities attract you to other artists' works?
RS: Works that are intelligent, well-crafted, well thought through… when artists do what they say and say what they do. When artists create for the sake of creating.

Randy Simmons. “Mighty Like A Rose.”  2019. Charcoal, White Conté, 50”x36”. $3,000.

RP: What advice would you give your younger artist self?
RS: Everything will be okay. Be you.

Randy Simmons. “Self Portrait with Stars.” 2020. Charcoal, White Conté, 61”x39”. $3,800.

RP: What do you wish someone would ask you about you or your art?
RS: How much do you want for it?

RP: On what are you currently working?
RS: I’ve spent the last year reevaluating my memory growing up and realizing what my mother really is. Life is about perception and point-of-view.

Randy Simmons. “The Conversion of St. Paul.” 2018. Charcoal,  White Conté, 45”x48”.

RP: What is your future creative life?
RS: I’ll continue making drawings until I die. They might not be good but I’ve never run out of ideas.

Artist Randy Simmons.

Learn more about Randy Simmons: www.randysimmonsdrawings.com/Home.html and www.instagram.com/randysimmonsdrawings
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SARAH CANNON

Featured in Art Saint Louis’ virtual exhibit, “Hope”: Sarah Cannon, Chesterfield, MO. “Myopia.” 2021. Oil on Canvas, 16”x20”. $500 unframed.
Artist’s statement: “There is a constant supply of news to cause panic. When one thing passes, there is always something else to demand an emotional response.
I feel like we are all this boy sometimes, angry at the current situation, helpless to control the bigger problems that plague our society. He draws back in anger, aiming to tear down and destroy the teeming ugliness.
Above the chaos floats a single, faded word: Myopia. If he'll just stand back, he may just find hope. He may find the age old virtues. He may find the simple beauty of a new day. He might even see how to integrate the new without completely destroying the old.”

About the artist: Sarah Cannon is a full time mother and home educator, who squeezes art in whenever she can. She is passionate about her family, her faith, and the beauty of the outdoors.

Sarah Cannon. "Blessing Dress.” 2002. Oil on Panel, 24"x24." NFS.

Roxanne Phillips: What is it that you are most eager to convey through your art/ how do you want the viewer to receive or interpret or your art?
Sarah Cannon: I want to convey hope. I naturally view life through a lens of faith, which brings me a profound sense of hope and purpose, and I want to share that feeling with others. It's easy to get bogged down by the struggles that plague our society, but I believe there is joy in expressing gratitude for the blessings that are right in front of us. 

St. Louis artist Sarah Cannon's home studio.

RP: What is the biggest challenge with being an artist and juggling all life throws at you?
SC: For me, the biggest challenge has been the business side of things. I am learning as I go, and honestly, it hasn't felt like a priority until recently. I figure life will settle down a little once my five kids are in school again. I've learned that life comes in seasons, and to just take them as they come. For now, I'm savoring this time together and making art when I can!

Sarah Cannon. "Nora.” 2011. Oil on Canvas, 8"x10." NFS.

Recently, I've also run into technical challenges with Instagram where I normally share my work.  This has limited my ability to connect with my small community. Here's hoping I don't have to start a new account, although at this point that may be my only option. 

Sarah Cannon. "Sunset Over Mordor.” Oil on Canvas, 12"x16," $350.

RP: What do you do to support your art and how does that impact your art practice?
SC: I am fortunate to have a spouse who supports me in all of my interests. I have only been back into my art for a year now, and it has been nice to have the freedom to develop my personal style. I'm starting to branch out from purely literal art into more conceptual pieces. It has been a good challenge for me! Most previous commissions lean more literal, so it's nice to have the financial support from my husband to explore new frontiers.

Sarah Cannon. "St. Louis Temple.” Oil on Panel, 16"x20." $500.

Sarah Cannon. "Christ the King Chapel at Christendom College.” 2020. Ink, Watercolor on Paper, 18"x24." Sold.

RP: What qualities attract you to other artists' works?
SC: I love artists who convey an effortlessness to their paintings. The more I create, the more I appreciate this quality in others' art! I still get so caught up in composition, contrast, temperature, tone and all that.  While those things are important, there is something about loose, yet confident and deliberate brushstrokes that really draw me in.

Sarah Cannon. "Hornworm." 2020. Oil on Panel, 6"x6." $100.

Sarah Cannon. "Adoration.” 2021. Oil on Panel, 24"x24." $750.

RP: What is your future creative life?
SC: That's the question I ask myself all the time, and the exciting/terrifying part is, I don't know! I hope to find a niche that connects with some people and start building a brand for myself. I don't find a lot of pleasure in doing commissions, but I'd love to find that sweet spot of doing pieces that I enjoy and that there is a market for. Don't we all!?!

Artist Sarah Cannon.

Learn more about Sarah Cannon: www.instagram.com/sarahcannon.art
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Roxanne Phillips is an artist and art educator based in St. Louis since 2001. She earned a MFA in Printmaking & Drawing from Washington University in St. Louis and BFA in Painting & Drawing from University of North Texas. Roxanne is an adjunct art instructor at Washington University in St. Louis and has worked with Art Saint Louis since 2017 as Administrative Assistant and Installer. From 2018-2020 she was Master Printer for Pele Prints. Her works have been featured in numerous exhibitions throughout the St. Louis region including at Art Saint Louis, Crossroads Art Studio & Gallery, and St. Louis Artists’ Guild. Her work is currently available at Union Studio in St. Louis. She has served as exhibit Juror for several regional exhibits & art fairs. Roxanne is past Board member of St. Louis Women’s Caucus for Art.