Meet Alex McClurg | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex McClurg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Being consistent is a key factor in growth. I try to apply for shows one to two times a month if not more and make sure the shows are not in the same geographical location. This will help more people see your work. I consistently have one to two paintings going at all times. This allows me to have an on going mental and physical dialog with my work. For me making something that I like and doing something that I enjoy will help produce a true result.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is informed by my attraction to geometric illustrations from book covers created in the 1960s and 1970s, quilt patterns and the idea of displacement. I continually question my compositions as I strive for simplicity. The size of my work hints at the size of a book, which invites the viewer to become intimate with them. The patterns are intuitive and are generated in the moment, similar to the traditional way of designing a quilt. Creating these patterns becomes a meditative process. Areas of the paintings show shapes in positive and negative form. Certain shapes and lines are off-kilter and seem to be moved from their original location or expanding off the surface. These paintings are my attempt to show tradition combined with the moment of displacement. Currently I just became represented by Binder Projects (https://www.binderprojects.com). I am extremely appreciative to be given this opportunity to work with great people and with a group of great artist. The only way I have gotten where I am today is with having drive for something I enjoy and great people that have helped and supported along the way. There were definitely times that were hard and having a great support group is worth its weight in gold. Keep in mind that even thought the a period of time is difficult, it will end and things will change. Also it helps to read books on Zen and Agnes Martin.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have friends visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Currently I live in Birmingham, Alabama. I spend most weekends mountain biking at Oak Mountain State Park. It is a huge national state park with ample space and activities from mountain biking, hiking, camping, swimming, ect. It definitely has something for everyone. It is also only 20 minutes from downtown. Also it is very important to be out in nature.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I had a great experience in my graduate school program in painting and drawing at The University of Tennessee. I was provided with ample room for experimentation, growth and support. I had an excellent group of teachers that pushed me to go past what I thought I was capable of. I met life long friend in the group of graduate students that I was enrolled with. I can’t express enough gratitude for my experience there.

Website: https://www.alexmcclurg.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.mcclurg/?hl=en

Image Credits
Alex McClurg