Alex Garant, a Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory member, provides some fascinating insights into her practice and experience as a painter of contemporary realism “optic art” as she responds to the questions below:
- What are your goals as an artist?
- What do you think your art says about you as an individual?
- What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are just starting out?
- How do you approach the challenge of creating a cohesive body of work?
What are your goals as an artist?
My goal has always been to push the boundaries of portraiture & perception. Through what I call “Analogue Glitch Art” or “Optic Pop”, I want to create paintings that don’t just sit quietly on a wall but visually disrupt, challenge, and captivate. After my heart attack in 2012, I realized how fragile time is, so I’ve dedicated myself fully to painting with the hope of building a body of work that feels both visually striking and psychologically engaging. My aim is for viewers to question how we see ourselves versus how others perceive us and to recognize that both realities can overlap in beautiful, unsettling ways.
What do you think your art says about you as an individual?
It probably says I’m obsessed with complexity and duality! My paintings of duplicated eyes and layered faces reflect my fascination with identity and perception. On a personal level, it reveals my curiosity about the human experience: the way we fragment, hide, and project ourselves. But it also speaks to my love of bold aesthetics: graphic lines, symmetry, optical illusions. I believe it shows that I’m both analytical and emotional, always looking for the tension between planning and instinct.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are just starting out?
Treat your art as both a passion and a business. Consistency matters: paint when you don’t feel like it, share your work even when you’re unsure, and keep building momentum. Don’t wait for a gallery to “discover” you, use the tools you have: social media, create your own opportunities, and build your own audience. At the same time, never stop refining your craft. The art world is competitive, but authenticity and persistence will always stand out more than trying to fit into a trend or getting overly influenced by outside sources.
How do you approach the challenge of creating a cohesive body of work?
For me, cohesion comes from obsession. I’ve been painting through the lens of optical perception for years. And I love the challenge to push a concept more and more. The idea of developing one concept into hundred of works is just something that truly keeps me engaged with my practice.
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Alex Garant Social Media Accounts
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Print Shop
