FOR THE LOVE OF ART

From very young age, Alexandra “Aly” Harrell has had a growing passion for creating art. She, originally started painting to cover the walls of her bedroom. 

Harrell has always been very private about her artwork. She only recently started sharing her progress on social media. It wasn’t long until she caught the eye of Matthew Broughton, the Social and Events Director at Common Space.

“Aly’s art is very original,” said Broughton. “When I book an artist, I want to see them through their art.”

Harrell sticks to more muted colors such as black and white, and adds a pop of color to her pieces. Her collection was such a big hit and had art lovers raving about their favorite pieces.

“I want this in my house, but… If I had a dungeon I would go right here,” said Daniel Love, Mr. TranzFresno.

But, Harrell was not selling any of her pieces. “I get really attached to my art. So when I’m working on it for such a long time, and like putting so much effort and emotion into it and then it finally is done… It’s kind of hard to part with it, sometimes ’cause you just it means so much to you,” said Harrell.

She is currently working on two pieces, a painting of an albino bunny and a larger charcoal drawing. She is determined to not get too attached.

“So, like I’m hoping to sell this,” said Harrell. “But I’m starting to like it. But I’m trying not to like it.”

It’s a battle she’s working through: Learning to love what she makes enough to let it go.

Harrell is expected to show her collection in July.