I have 23 original oil paintings currently on view @thehousefayetteville — This collection became an exercise in documenting the beauty that exists in my everyday life — spring flowers cut from the yard, patterned textiles, barns tucked into the Arkansas landscape, porcelain vessels, and vintage dishes I’ve slowly started collecting — objects that feel storied yet somehow completely new when they enter your home and become part of your daily rituals.
The floral paintings, in particular, are inspired by tulips in their final days — when they begin to curl, bend, and open in unexpected ways right before they wilt.
Living in Arkansas continues to shape both my work and the way I want to share it. What I love most about showing here is how deeply personal and communal it can feel. This exhibition is in my sister-in-law’s space, curated by my best friend. Opening night featured a menu by chefs Belle and Alex, who sourced ingredients locally. We borrowed a tablecloth from a mutual friend that’s made from sewn-together feed sacks and vintage butter knives from my Mimi. Every detail of the show has been touched by someone I know and admire. It feels deeply reflective of this place — creative, resourceful, collaborative, and rooted in community.
That communal spirit feels aligned with what I love most about Arkansas itself, especially in the spring and summer — the abundance, the resourcefulness, the beauty that feels both understated and deeply rich.
I hope you’ll go see the work, up through the end of the month, and let me know which pieces resonate with you!!
xx alex
Late summer 2024, I checked out a stack of vintage coffee table books from the public library, searching for original inspiration. One of them was a 1965 Vogue Homes and Gardens book that still had the old card catalog ticket tucked inside the front cover. I became fascinated by an article about a young couple called The Burdens.
Their home was bold and striking—drenched in primary colors (my favorite palette), with red curtains that felt like they were begging to be painted. But more than the interiors, it was the story of the Burdens that hooked me: their pedigree, their art collection… and the fact that they had this life in their early twenties.
I started painting a scene inspired by their drawing room. It was the first time I’d ever painted art within my art, which felt like a fun challenge. After a few weeks, though, my initial excitement faded. There was something I couldn’t get quite right.
I hit pause, telling myself I’d come back to it. A few months passed. I found out I was pregnant. We moved houses. I moved studios. I kept shuffling the painting along with me, but couldn’t bring myself to restart it. The bright red curtain and yellow chair sat tucked in the corner of my studio while the story of the Burdens drifted in and out of my mind.
A few weeks ago, my best friend urged our group chat to read a new bestselling memoir, Strangers. I was hesitant, but gave in after hearing Belle Burden speak on one of my favorite podcasts (ty @erinfoster@sarafoster ).
I don’t know why the last name didn’t immediately register—but as I started the audiobook, it clicked.
The Burdens from my painting were Belle’s parents.
I couldn’t imagine a clearer sign that I needed to finish this piece.
I devoured all seven hours of Strangers while I painted, finally fixing the things that had bothered me 18 months earlier. Never did I expect to know more about The Burdens than what was written in that 1965 Vogue article—yet there I was, learning intimate details about the rest of their lives through their daughter’s story as I painted…
commission for a place very special to me 🪽 the pi phi house now looks very different than the one that I lived in, but I pulled inspo from the begonias and crepe myrtle that lined the front walk in 2011 🌸🌸🌸
I’ve been painting around the clock, have oil paint on all of my clothes, and 20+ new works to show — save the date(s)!!
📍April 30th, group show @aboldcollab
📍May 1st, solo show @thehousefayetteville
10 new striped bird pieces, all horizontal — meaning playful new silhouettes and configurations. I’m partial to the pairs — could be friends, sisters, lovebirds, soulmates ❤️🩹❤️🩹
would love to know your favorite xx alex
available originals — I cleaned out the studio this week to make room for several new projects. these pieces are beautiful on my shelf but would love for them to find new homes 🌷🌷🌷 happy spring !! xx alex
