Rowley, A 

Alex Rowley Several of the pieces I selected have a deeper meaning to me than most people might not realize. For example, my piece “May He Rest In Peace” was inspired by the death of my beloved horse, Shorty. At the time of his death, Shorty was sickly, skinny, and dying slowly of an infection. Ultimately, in the name of mercy, I decided it was time to end his suffering. Even now, talking about him is difficult, but whenever I remember him, I don’t see the sickly horse with barely any light in his eyes. I see the proud old man who refused to let younger horses out-race him and towered over everyone. Shorty was a pure-bred Belgian, my very first horse, and died at a ripe age of 34, and I’ll love him till the day I die. When he died, I needed an outlet to pour out my sadness and, like always, I turn to art. Art is my outlet for any emotions that otherwise I would bottle up and hide. I suppose you could say art is my “therapy,” and that’s exactly what it did for my grief. As I came closer and closer to finishing the piece, I found myself growing closer and closer to accepting my beloved friend’s death and now it serves as a memorial to his memory. As his tombstone says “may he rest in peace.” There was another piece I submitted that had a deeper meaning as well: “Words Cut Deeper Then Thorns.” The obvious meaning is illustrating how painful derogatory names like “slut, whore, and bitch” can really be and how deeply they can cut. However, to me, this is another “art therapy” peace. I have been called these words and, like the thorns are doing to the horse, they cut me deeply. I felt scarred and full of grief after being called such things yet others seemed to just blow it off like such words really had no effect. It got to the point that if I expressed my pain, others would call me a “baby” or “weak” for letting such “stupid” labels affect me, so I told myself I’d show them just how deeply I’ve been hurt by them. Perhaps now people will think twice before using such terrible words to address someone. After all, words cut far deeper than any thorn. My other pieces may not have as significant meanings as the ones mentioned above, but I hold a certain pride for having created them. I always thought of myself as a mediocre artist at best, but seeing what I have created boosts my dwindling self-esteem ever so slightly. All of the pieces in my portfolio I am proud to present for others to see.
 * My Artist Statement

Whenever someone sees my work, I secretly hope the first word out of their mouth will be “wow.” I suppose it’s an egotistical and selfish to say so, but truthfully I want my artwork to be admired by those who see it, or perhaps hear “Alex made //that?”// I suppose this all came about because, when I was growing up, I blended in. I had no amazing stories to tell, no impressive talent, and I believed my art was simply ordinary. I resigned myself to people simply saying “oh, it’s good” and then continue on to admire a far better artist’s work farther down the line. Because of this, whenever my art is complemented, I feel I’m no longer blending in and, perhaps, my art may not be as simple as I originally thought. To be recognized, remembered, or admired by people around me is what I hope will result from people seeing my artwork.

In my life, art is my outlet. I cannot count how many drawings I made out of anger, or sorrow, or even joy. Art allows me to vent feelings I feel I can’t otherwise release. Without art, I’d simply just bottle my emotions until one day I just explode and everything comes out all in one violent wave of emotion. I’ve had this happen a few times, believe me, it’s not fun. I’ve ruined many good relationships that way, so I’m determined not to do so again. With art, I no longer have to worry about how I’m going to work through my emotions without facing judgment or punishment from others if I break down in front of them. Art is how I announce to all who see “here is how I’m feeling inside.” ||
 * [[image:Alex Rowley (7).jpg width="1040" height="991" align="center" caption="Centurian Khal Drogo"]]

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 * [[image:Alex Rowley (8).jpg width="1280" height="904" align="center" caption="Arguing With Myself"]] ||
 * [[image:Alex Rowley (5).jpg width="1040" height="1139" align="center" caption="Head Drawing"]] ||
 * [[image:Alex Rowley2 Irving.jpg width="1200" height="850" align="center" caption="Self-Portrait"]] ||
 * [[image:Alex Rowley (6).jpg width="960" height="1114" align="center" caption="Still-Life"]] ||
 * [[image:Alex Rowley (2).jpg width="960" height="728" align="center" caption="May He Rest In Peace"]] ||
 * [[image:Alex Rowley (3).jpg width="960" height="640" align="center" caption="Line-Art Boots"]] ||
 * [[image:Alex Rowley (4).jpg width="668" height="1008" align="center" caption="Words Cut Deeper Then Thorns"]] ||
 * [[image:What Art Is.jpg width="1056" height="796" align="center" caption="What Art Is"]] ||