The creation of Artistry Fair
The journey so far
Hi, I’m Alex. Artist. Engineer. Human.
Thinking creatively has always been what’s made me different. It’s why when growing up my dad’s shared workspace was decorated with my handmade comics about a donkey named Fred and his alien pal. It’s how my childhood “toys” like my first guitar, microphone and 4-track recorder got me into teaching music (early career) and into tech (later career). My creativity not only made me different, but made me into a different kind of leader. That is to say, I aim to lead with kindness and curiosity, and I get so much joy in uplifting others. It’s why I created Artistry Fair. To build community. To spread kindness and curiosity. To support the artists, makers, and crafters with a welcoming and whimsical space that gives other humans a chance to connect with their art.
My motivation
Injustice in the arts has always touched a nerve. Some artists struggle to be seen while others are being replaced or ripped off by artificial intelligence. Many artists, makers, and crafters give up too much of their earnings, filling the pockets of some individuals they’ll likely never meet.
My respect for the arts, my tinkering hands, and my intention to build something better have all led me here. After years in corporate hustle culture, I felt the mixture of fatigue and frustration due to burnout, and started to question my trajectory due to lack of creative fulfillment. I had also been carrying this lifelong dream of working for myself one day, noting that when I did, I would do things differently. So the question suddenly became: why not now?
Doing things differently
As with any new creation, the building of Artistry Fair began in 2025 with a lot of ebb and flow while I worked through exactly what it was going to be. (Maybe one day I’ll share some early mockups!) But what I have always known for certain is how I want it to feel. I want it to be a place people come to for a joyful experience, for transparency and fairness, and for community.
August 2026 is when Artistry Fair launched itself into the world wide web. It’s
been quite the journey already, one that I’ve put my whole heart into. I can’t
wait to see how the journey continues. I can’t wait to see you and your art.
On the more personal side of things
Is there a better food than ice cream? My wife might say my homemade sourdough bread comes close, but when push comes to shove, hand her a spoon.
I love nature, especially the water and don’t get to enjoy it enough, though I’m not sure if any amount is enough. Other things I love include baking desserts, gaming, really great movies, and music– listening to my favorite bands and playing my acoustic guitar or drums.
More than anything I love my family: my wife Paige and our kids (more commonly known as pets).