About Alex

My life is truly incredible! I am blessed with an awesome husband, children and grandchildren! My passions are many. I love nature and am incurably curious about most anything. Many artists speak of the people past and present who have influenced their work throughout their lives and careers and have made indelible impressions on them. Henrietta Peterson, writer, artist and dancer was the single most influence in my life as an artist and person. She was my grandmother who raised me, loved me, inspired me and amazed me! As a young child my Nana nurtured every artistic idea I would come up with. I spent every free moment hanging out in the back porch studio that my Grandpa had lovingly built for her. She actually had me complete an oil painting at the age of four! I guess you could say I was destined to draw, paint and create.

I grew up in the Northeast and explored life and nature there for eighteen years. As a young woman I settled in southern California and took in all the artsy lifestyle I could handle. Eventually, I wanted to be near family and raise my son and future children (5 now!) in a less free spirited way and moved to Tucson, AZ. I have to say at first I couldn’t believe all the dirt!” Where are the grass and trees?” I had asked my brother on the way home from the airport! Not exactly the scenic route, but Tucson and the Sonoran Desert stole my heart. I keep my camera with me at all times and it is not unusual for me to pull off the road unexpectedly to get the greatest picture of the moment! I love life and the people in it. It is the people that I know and meet that inspire me as much as the nature we are surrounded by. This is what motivates my expression.

I have been self employed most of my adult life (I am now 53! Wow!) My adventures in business have been many over the years. I have been gifted with and am grateful for the wonderful people I have met and shared time and creativity with over the years. I have enjoyed a number of artistic businesses, such as, the Salon Industry (Alexandria), Custom Area Rugs to the trade and retail (Floorscapes ,Inc.), a retail shop (Evergreen Design Studio and Gallery), and Custom Remodeling (The Handylady and Son).

Throughout the years I have continued to decorate interiors, explore color and design and paint (fine art and decorative finishes) while running the other businesses, but decided it was time to devote myself to home interiors and my fine and decorative art exclusively! The Backporch Studio was born and I have not looked back!

One of the wonderful joys of life is that every day brings a new opportunity for interesting experiences and learning new things. I look forward to sharing every creative project with and for my clients and their families!