Meet Alexandria Vargas | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandria Vargas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandria, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Art has been a passion of mine since I was a kid. My sketchbook was my little world—where I’d draw whatever caught my eye, from the items around my room to anything else I happened to stumble upon. I never thought about turning art into a business, though. It was always more of a personal escape, a way to release and process whatever emotions I was going through. And honestly, that emotional release is still at the core of why I create today.
While art has always been a huge part of my life, I also have a deep love for math and teaching. I’ve got a bachelor’s degree in math and am currently working toward a teaching credential and a master’s in secondary math education. I’ll be wrapping up that program by the end of the year! I still see myself teaching in the future, but I also feel like there’s room in my life for both teaching and creating. That’s my plan—do both.
A good friend, who’s also an artist, encouraged me to start vending at events in 2023. From 2019 to 2023, I really started to dive into drawing on my iPad. That’s when I discovered my love for creating sad clown girls. Creating didn’t come without its challenges. I had to go through some trial and error to find my style, but eventually I knew I wanted to turn my art into something more, which led me to start my business Black Cat Art. The name just felt right—it has this air of mystery, charm, and a little dark edge to it. My art speaks to both cat lovers and sad clown enthusiasts, so there’s a bit of something for everyone.
But I don’t just stop at digital art—I’m all about experimenting. I love photography and editing too. I’ve turned pictures of cats into wild, surreal creations, giving them spiral eyes or turning them into clowns. I also sculpt and paint calaveras and ghosts holding heart-shaped balloons. I’m not entirely sure what the future holds. Maybe I’ll teach until I retire or maybe I’ll open a store to sell my art alongside other amazing creators. But one thing I’m sure of is that creating will always be a part of me. It’s my emotional release, and there’s nothing like seeing someone connect with a piece of my art, whether they’re taking it home or just appreciating the process behind it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I first started drawing sad girls, but then I got the idea to give them a makeup look that I’d love to wear myself (and sometimes do). Each girl I draw has this same signature clown makeup, and they all carry this quiet, almost haunting vibe of loneliness and longing. Music plays a huge part in my creations too—it’s like the soundtrack to their stories. There’s something emotionally layered beneath the surface of these characters, and I really enjoy when people try to dive into that part of my work. With my cat art, I think I’ve found a perfect balance between cute and creepy. If you’re not into the creepy stuff but love cats, I’ve got plenty of adorable pieces of my own cats or ones I’ve photographed. But if creepy’s your thing—well, you’re in luck. I’m genuinely proud of myself for sticking with my art, especially during the times when I’ve gone months without creating, whether from emotional burnout or the pressure of school. I’ve learned to at least knock out one assignment before diving into any creative work each week. It’s been tough, especially when my to-do list feels endless and I don’t have time for anything else, but I’m still figuring out how to juggle work, school, and art. Something I’m really proud of though, is getting the chance to be a vendor at The Oddities & Curiosities Expo this past January—and I’m excited to do it again this September! I’m just happy to be given the opportunity to vend at different events in LA, the IE, and San Diego! At the end of the day, I just want to remind the world that it’s okay to feel deeply, to feel a little lost, and to find beauty in the darker corners of our hearts. <3

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a tricky one since I’m definitely a homebody, but I’d be up for going out if a friend is in town. I’d probably be on the lookout for some small concerts to enjoy, grab some good ol’ food at a Mexican restaurant, and check out a few good breweries.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A huge thank you to my friend Esti (@radiumhearts) for not only introducing me to the art community but for pushing me to create—even when I’m in a rut and don’t feel like it. I also want to honor my younger brother Esteban, who is no longer with us, for always supporting me from the start, giving feedback on my work, and attending every event. Lastly, I’m incredibly grateful to all of my people—you know who you are—for your unwavering support and for reminding me that I can truly go somewhere with my art.

Website: https://blackcatart.bigcartel.com/products

Instagram: @_blackcatart_