Meet Alexa Barco | Storyteller and Designer

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

Hi Alexa, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Ever since I was little I have always been an imaginative person, and I found that drawing was the best outlet for this. I consumed a lot of media, mostly fictional, and at some point decided I wanted to make my own stories and characters. I also enjoy interpreting the world around me with studies and caricatures- art is how I tend to process various things and people.

So with all of that, I poured countless hours into drawing. With a lot of motivation, love, and a healthy dash of ADHD, I slowly built up my creative capabilities until art became an intrinsic part of my identity. I am still in the process of finding the extent of my artistic voice, but I am forever grateful that I have had the opportunities in life to allow me to pursue a career in the arts.

Currently my focus lies in character design, and I’m building up my confidence with props and perspective. I drew animals before I drew people, which I believe to be a particular strength of mine, and I have a great deal of versatility in my style because I’m still trying to find out how I like to draw the most! I find the process to be very explorative, fun, and most of all fulfilling. I especially enjoy looking up to and studying the countless artists who have come before me, and my fellow peers.

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.
For most of my life, I did not really have much of a set goal for what I wanted my art to achieve. I just drew, and I kept on drawing until I realized it could take me somewhere. Now as a college student, I am realizing that the art itself is just as important as the intent behind it, and that is what I am still working towards learning. Art is a visual language, it is meant to communicate something. Combining that with design, which is in short, a solution to a problem, you have ENDLESS possibilities for what could be drawn and why.

I love characters, and I don’t want to be tied down to one style or design solution either (yet!). Whenever I pick up a new drawing, I tend to approach it from a different angle every time. From a technical perspective, there’s many ways to consider one single design- shape language, color, form, complexity, silhouette, line of action, value.. the list goes on, and I’m still learning. Artists never stop learning.

From a much more abstract storytelling perspective, I am constantly exploring ideas that are important to me and sorting out how I will convince others that it should be important to them too. I think that’s the heart of art. I approach these ideas with stories and characters, and I have a few in development. “Miriam’s Tea Party” is a story about teenage vampire girls who don’t quite fit in, but they learn to take pride in their differences and support eachother along the way. “Dandelion” is a love story taking place in a beautiful world that is slowly dying due to a force of pure evil and greed, the protagonists have their lives uprooted and take it upon themselves to make a positive difference. Both of these stories started as raw pieces of myself that came about through inspiration or a simple idea. I then picked apart each of these stories and decided what exactly I was saying and how I planned on saying it.

The characters in these stories are very important too, because they are the vessels that allow viewers to relate to the message of a story. It’s essential to have intent and emotion behind each individual character, and to represent this in as many shapes and sizes as I can. We’ve all felt love, anger, joy, and sadness. If a character can convey all of these emotions in a palpable way, it creates a connection. It makes them feel real.

What’s most important for my goals in life is to touch the hearts of others, even just a little. I want my stories and characters to make other people feel seen, and I hope to create some positive change in the process.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think Los Angeles- and Socal in general- has a lot of soul and many different facets that would be hard to explore at once. First, I’d get something super touristy and typical of Los Angeles/ Hollywood out of the way. Be it Hollywood and Highland, the Santa Monica Pier, or even a star tours bus (I’ve always wanted to try one of those). Then I’d want to drive to the beach. For a day’s trip, Malibu suffices, but ideally I would want to take them on a trip to Morro Bay for a couple of days. A beach trip calls for seafood (of course!) be it tuna steak or fish tacos (or Patrick’s Roadhouse). If there were any events going on at the LA Zoo, Observatory, or even the LA county faire, that would be a must. If the weather is fair, a good hike. A visit to Sawtelle, Santa Monica Blvd, Little Tokyo, The Grove, or even one of the Gallerias. And then a late night visit to an overlook on Mulholland with some In N Out burgers.

My favorite place is the Huntington Library though. It’s a versatile and chill spot to visit. You can roam the gardens (great drawing spot :)), check out the galleries, or just find a shady spot to sit and talk for a while.

As far as food goes, for seafood lovers I always preach about Mario’s Peruvian and Seafood. For good italian food and live music, Miceli’s. I really enjoy Stout for beer and burgers, and who can beat street tacos?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am honestly quite grateful to my friends and teachers who have helped me grow as an artist by treating the creative process like play. In my opinion, one of the most important elements of becoming an artist is fun, you ought to enjoy the process in some way at some point or else it becomes draining. Throughout grade school I always had close friends that I drew alongside, and it was fun. There was no pursuit involved other than just using art as play and expression. Even now, my friend group is that of fellow creatives whom I am able to share my art as a form of expression, and in good fun too! It’s very important to have a fun support group of other creatives to help make your artistic process that much more fulfilling and a part of your life. I am also grateful for the many teachers I’ve had who have poured their heart and soul into carrying over their knowledge to help me grow as an artist. I can always feel when they share my passion with a project, idea, or drawing.
And last but not least, my parents have been intrinsic to my pursuit in the arts. They’ve been the ones pushing me the longest to make a career out of something I have always been passionate about. They signed me up for and drove me to art classes, and they’re putting me through school. I am so lucky to have such a supportive family and I genuinely would not be where I am now if not for them. They’re proud of me, and I am grateful for them.

Website: https://www.alexabarco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexyrb/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-barco-95761413a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexyarv