We are honored to hold space in our Apothecary this month for Choosing to Love, a body of work by Alexa Villaneuva! Join us for an Opening Reception during Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk on Thursday, July 11 from 4:00-8:00pm. Alexa’s show will be on view through the end of July. Our gallery is open to the public Thursday-Saturday 12-4.
Choosing
to Love
“The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others.”
— bell hooks
Today I woke up and chose love.
These pieces were created while in conversation with my loved ones,
ancestors past and future, as well as with my own inner world as we navigated what it means to
live a life of love over apathy.
As I created each piece, I reminisced on moments in my life where I moved through
mystery portals, inviting curiosity and openness
to replace any fear or resistance to change.
Choosing love can look in a myriad of ways —
How will you love today?
I describe my process as intuitive and playful.
It always begins in the sketchbook where I explore shapes and composition;
Simple, imperfect circles are frequent friends I return to for their
significance of wholeness and cyclical nature.
Color is very emotional for me, and I spend a lot of time mixing paint in order to
capture specific feelings and energies to support the story I strive to tell.
I’ll then fill large watercolor sheets of paper with these colors, and they often feel like spells.
Once these sheets have dried, I cut out my symbols and strips to weave together a final composition.
Alexa Villanueva
Alexa Villanueva is a Filipina-American mixed-media artist, tarot reader, and mother. She is the creator of lexa luna studio, where her offerings are held, including The Future Ancestor Tarot deck, 1:1 tarot readings, ceramics, original artwork, and more. Her work investigates the magic found in motherhood, ritual, and dreams. Currently, Alexa is on the journey of deepening her work as a healer by studying Art Therapy in graduate school as well as training to become a full spectrum doula. Alexa currently lives and works on Coast Salish land, known as Gig Harbor, Washington.
Experience more of Alexa’s work on lexalunastudio.com and @lexalunastudio