Introducing Alejandro F Hernandez
I was born and raised in the UK. From a young age, I had an innate connection to creativity and an encouraging mother that allowed me to explore any artistic endeavours. This shaped my path towards A-level Art studies. After completing my studies and finding myself without direction, life had already decided on adventures for me. At nineteen, I travelled to Colombia, where I learnt about my roots and where my journey as a graphic designer took flight working across diverse industries expanded my horizons but also deepened my yearning for creative exploration. Amongst all my curiosity, photography was something that always caught my eye.
WHY ALEXGRINGO and not Alejandro F Hernandez?
You might be wondering why I go by the name Alexgringo, right?
Well, let me share the story behind it. During my time living in Colombia, this nickname was bestowed upon me as I studied Graphic design. With Colombian parents and living in London, I often encountered the challenges of fitting into two distinct cultures. And as I made friends and peers in my studies, I began to feel accepted and fit in instead of resisting or taking offence at a simple yet controversial Latin word, I decided to embrace my heritage and where I came from. Over time, Alexgringo became a term of endearment that I cherished.
Artist Statement - Expressing Art Through Experiences
As an artist, my creative journey is a celebration of color, emotion, and boundless imagination. My canvas becomes a vivid tapestry where quirky animals, born from the depths of my mind's eye, come alive in a symphony of bold brushwork and vibrant Color. Each brush stroke is an act of liberation and translation of my thoughts, capturing the very essence of these characters, their personalities, and their spirited presence from my mind.
Influenced by the playful charm of cartoons and animations, my style dances on the edge of whimsy while remaining firmly rooted in a moment of my life. Stylization and exaggeration breathe life into my subjects, transforming them into unforgettable and captivating creatures. I invite viewers to embark on a journey, exploring the wondrous realm of form and shape, where my art finds its voice through the interplay of vibrant colors and texture.
The rich experiences of my life's timeline lie at the heart of my creations. Each piece bears witness to significant moments that have shaped me, allowing my art to transcend the canvas and become a reflection of my dynamic and evolving self. Whether it's the joyous playfulness of a dog mirroring my own moments of delight or the graceful poise of a bird symbolizing the freedom I crave, every artwork encapsulates a chapter of my life's story, told through the language of colors and brushstrokes.
The Blog
With this Blog I hope to have a creative space and place for self-reflection. This journal is about my life as an artist, a creative soul on the way to creating my best work.
As a graphic designer/illustrator on paper, I am grateful for every opportunity that has allowed me to explore areas of creativity, from creating videos and animations to packaging, websites and online content. I even had the chance to explore the world of photography as a family portrait photographer. All these experiences allow a unique approach to anything I create.
My latest project was a short intro video I worked on with a good friend Sahin who is currently exploring the world of creating compelling stories with his camera. Obviously, as one does when the eye of a lens points to ourselves, our insecurities seem to surface. I overcame this by remembering that I dramatized many adventures while playing with action figures as a kid. I had a lot of fun as I was the main character. And going into acting was something I considered doing when I grew older, so I didn't disappoint my childhood self, so I said, "F*** it", let us do this.
After discussing ideas with Sahin, we agreed that this video could be a short intro of me, Alejandro F Hernandez, being creative, showing the creative process and how too often we get stuck. And how in the unlikeliest of situations, the idea just pops into your mind.
Do check out the video below, comment, and share like or dislike but let me know what you think.
