Alejandra's quirky portraits of vintage women are so unique! I can tell she loves to accentuate the eyes—including the use of googly eyes—which just add to the fun and playfulness of her work. Her collages definitely make me smile.
Name (Real or Screename): Alejandra Villasmil
URL (Blog, Website): www.flickr.com/photos/alejandravillasmil/
Location (Where are you from?): Born in Venezuela/lived in New York for 10 years/Currently in Santiago de Chile
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Sexy, funky, colorful and playful.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: I flirt with various sources, from Escort ads in free newspapers to glossy fashion magazines. I have an extensive series of work using images culled from colouring books. These days I'm having fun with Chilean vintage magazines covers.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: We all start at kindergarten age, an instinctive stage in life which is suitable for collage. I've made sculptures, installations and drawings with no elements glued to them but I always keep coming back to collage in a systematically, obsessive way.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I graduated from journalism school in Caracas (Venezuela) in 1994 and since then I divide my time between cultural writing, art criticism and art making. I'm currently working as a press director for Galería Moro, in Santiago de Chile.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: I took several art classes in New York for five consecutive years in three different schools but with no intention of having an art degree.
Q: Explain your favourite techniques.
A: Layering, pouring, mixing, cutting, combining, adding, tasting—it's like cooking!
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: I'm a mom with many favourites children.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: Ladies Wangechi Mutu, Ellen Gallagher, Isa Genzken, Jessica Stockholder, and Rachel Harrison, and a great man, Martin Parr.
Thanks Alejandra!