Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Fleigel.
Hi Alexis, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Alexis (a.k.a Maddness) born and raised in Chicago (Northside Rogers park). I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. My family said since I was two years old and I never stopped, even with my disabilities growing up. I was born with cataracts and stickler syndrome. Both were caught kind of late in my childhood but when it was discovered, I had these problems I went into immediate surgery. Even tho I couldn’t see clearly for majority of my life, art was my go too to escape. I had four major eye surgeries and through all of them, I was still drawing in my sketchbook or any paper I can get ahold of really. I was mostly inspired by comics and anime growing up. At around 7-8 yours old, I always wanted to be a cartoonist or an animator. I would try to copy everything I saw everywhere I went to practice. My grandmother took me to the art museum often as a kid and I remember sitting down at one of my favorite pieces in the Greek section of the museum art institute Downtown Chicago. By the time I was done, I looked behind me there was a small crowd looking over my shoulder watching me draw that whole time. It encouraged me to keep going with my art ever since. I haven’t taken an art class till I was a junior in high school when I finally decided I wanted to go to art school after graduation. After two years in AP art in high school, I had a decent portfolio for college and got into one of the hardest art schools in the nation to get into (school of the art institute Chicago). I went into SAIC for animation and comics. Did about two years and worked two jobs at the time, decided it wasn’t for me. By January 2020, I quit my jobs and school and dedicated my time into my business as an independent graphic designer and illustrator. In the span of three years, I developed my clothing/merch line, illustrated children’s books, created comics, painted murals, etc. Art has always been a part of me and a passion no matter my obstacles.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I was born with eye problems and was told It was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to see again. Went through four major eye surgeries growing up and that affected my learning development. I was also diagnosed with a learning disability and had to work twice as hard as everyone else to catch up after losing so much for years during my healing process.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a mixed media artist but I’m mostly a graphic designer and illustrator.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the art scene in Chicago and our skyline. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. There’s always something to do here and places to discover. I’ve been here for majority of my life and I’m still finding new places to go too. One thing I dislike, even though it’s a big city, it’s also a small world. Also, the death rates and corrupt system the city of Chicago has.
Pricing:
- Cover art starts at $500
- Custom portraits rage from $80-300
- Custom murals start at $2k
- Book/comic illustration start at $250 a page
- Custom canvas start at $500 (depending on size)
Contact Info:
- Email: Alexisfleigel@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.juasographics.com/search?q=Maddness108
- Instagram: @maddness108
- Facebook: @maddness108
- Twitter: @maddness108
