FEBRUARY 21 – MARCH 6, 2023
Making Communities Better Through Print.™
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Local Artist Puts Body and 'Soul' into Her Work Suzanne Alexandra's 'Soul Prints' offers healing to both artist and clients
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By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
reating art has the ability to heal both the artist and those who are involved in the process. It was with this intention that local artist Suzanne Alexandra began creating “Soul Prints.” Alexandra started imprinting in 2011, but it wasn’t until 2013, when she was diagnosed with two brain aneurysms and underwent two surgeries, one on each side of her head, that she realized what an impact her “Soul Prints” were making, not only on those she painted, but in her own life as well. “As my view of the world changed, so did my art, deepening my intent and purpose,” said Alexandra. “Without the soul, the body is like a light bulb without electricity. We all feel invisible to some extent. I was inspired to paint people to share their soul and their inner beauty with the world. "My models, through me, tell their stories. My art creates a new and exciting way for you to be seen and see yourself. It is like looking into a mirror and seeing different shades of yourself you didn’t know were there and magnifying parts of yourself you
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Artist Suzanne Alexandra says her Soul Prints are fun, messy, exhilarating, and empowering. This picture was taken after one of her art sessions. Contributed Photo
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are afraid to own. It is empowering. Together we create a way to see your power, your inner beauty, and your unique gift to the world. You are the actual art imprinted on canvas.” Before the COVID pandemic, Alexandra’s soul-filled art was widely viewed in the Valley. Her art hung in the C Gallery, wine tasting rooms, coffee houses, and local restaurants. Then when COVID shut everything
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down, she wasn’t able to do her imprinting, as the process requires a hands-on approach. “The process is simple,” Alexandra explains. “You choose your background colors and the space that holds you. It could be winter sky, stormy clouds, spring meadows — there are no rules. Then you choose the colors in which to be painted, the colors of your heart and soul. Then
I paint your body and gently press you onto the canvas, transferring the paint to create your imprint." “The journey through paint creates laughter or sometimes tears, because sometimes emotions are laid bare,” said Alexandra. “It is fun, messy, exhilarating, and empowering. I create a space of trust and safety for the experience to be all those things.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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