Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Julian.
Hi Alex, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was raised by my adopted dad, Al Julian, of Amazing Collectables (formerly Amazing Al’s Comics and Cards), so my exposure to art was early. I had the privilege of meeting several famous artists and pop culture icons in my dad’s stores and at the conventions we attended, and this was the springboard for my interest in visual art as a career. I received my Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Animation in 2005 while trekking back and forth across the border from Rosarito, Mexico, and then spent several years in the Southern California live art and punk rock scenes, where I acted as both an artist and promoter (and sometimes as a bouncer hahaha). Since those crazy years, I have settled down (sort of) with my wife and stepson and have focused more on digital illustration, portraiture, and murals for private and business clients.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a rough and crazy road, for sure, and not without some big bumps. I spent a large portion of early childhood in foster care, which brought with it lots of trauma that I have had to work through. I have been homeless at times; finding yourself eating out of trash cans and sleeping on the sidewalk or on a floor someone let you crash on isn’t exactly glamorous, not even by “starving artist” standards. And more recently, AI “art” apps and engines (or plagiarism machines, as some of us human artists like to call them) have taken a large chunk of my business away, and that has hit pretty hard. But I always manage to pull myself up from these challenges.
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 an illustrator and muralist with a unique style. Think 1990’s “cutting edge” animation like Aeon Flux, the dark airbrush creature work of H.R. Giger, and Tank Girl’s Jamie Hewlett smashed together, and that’s me in a nutshell. I specialize in freelance illustration, graphic design, and creative murals. I also specialize in comic book-style portraits, which were very popular with my clients until AI Art engines pretty much took that out of the picture (much to my chagrin). I have a varied skill set and can work in a variety of mediums, ranging from digital illustration in Photoshop to airbrush art to large-scale spray can mural work, and I think that is something that is very unique here in San Diego and something my clients look for.
What matters most to you?
My family. I married one of my best friends, artist, and fantasy author Dani Julian, and we live in Normal Heights with my stepson and our pets. My in-laws also live nearby, and after being a foster kid, it’s like a dream come true to have a supportive family structure. I love being a husband and a dad, doing BBQs and holidays and all that stuff. It’s also great to be married to a fellow artist who gets the struggles and triumphs of our business and who can push me to focus some time on personal art projects–it’s easy to get lost in the hustle at times. I’m excited to be working on a fantasy webcomic with Dani titled Shale City: A Punk Fairytale, which she will be writing and coloring, and I will be inking/penciling. Our first episode is set to launch sometime around October, with continuing episodes released each month.
Pricing:
- Comic Portraits: $150-$400
- Logos: $500-$1,200
- Murals: $2000-$25,000 (depending on size, travel, and materials)
- Comic Book Illustration: $150 per page for Inks/Colors
- Book Covers: $250-$500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexfizix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexFizix
