Pennsylvania
Alexander Shanks, Gamblin’ Fever at East Falls, oil, 16 x 20.
Art Education: I am a student at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia, PA. I am also learning from my father, realist painter Nelson Shanks. Growing up I was always encouraged to skip morning cartoons and work on sketches in the studio. I also enjoy going to museums and seeing the different ways artists apply paint, brushwork, and color.
Style: Representational.
Creative Spark: I find virtually endless inspiration from the complexity and visual stimulation I encounter daily. Painting gives me an opportunity to isolate an ordinary subject or moment and represent it as something sacred.
Second-Choice Career: Chef.
Other Passions: Cooking, hiking, biking, taking care of my vegetable garden, and traveling to new places.
Best Advice Received: Understand your craft so well that you know which rules to break.
Mantra or Motto: “Each painting should be better than the last.” I try to look at previous paintings and identify moments where I could improve.
Favorite Studio Music: Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Townes Van Zandt, and Johnny Cash.
Favorite Work by Another Artist: ST. PETER AND CORNELIUS THE CENTURION by Bernardo Cavallino. I recently saw the painting in the Barberini Palace in Rome.
Future Goals: To have a piece in a major museum. I would also like to create a body of work that feels unique. Painting and art offer the opportunity for me to learn about my own interests and disposition. I look forward to developing my own aesthetic and sharing it with the world.
Price Range: $800 to $2,000.
Representation: www.alexanderolivershanks.com.
This story was featured in the September 2019 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art September 2019 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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