Today we’d like to introduce you to Wade Alexander.
Hi Wade, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
So I grew up in northern Virginia up until I graduated from high school. Like most boys raised in the 80s, I was addicted to pro wrestling, video games, and the latest toys. I remember being fascinated with the brilliant imagination behind our favorite cartoons and action figures, like He-Man, GI Joe, Transformers, and more. I fell in love with art as a result and began drawing superheroes and movie characters at a super young age. Fast forward to the age of 42 and I’m still just a big kid at heart! I love the same things that brought me joy as a child.
I began taking more advanced art classes in middle school and throughout high school, utilizing various mediums, but focusing more on graphic design and illustration. I won some local awards and competitions, but I still had no idea what to do with it all. As I entered college, I took a drawing course that I wasn’t too passionate about. Truth be told, I started to lose interest in ‘forced’ art assignments that I didn’t find engaging. So, I just stopped drawing. For almost 10 years, I didn’t do much art at all. But that all changed when I became a dad and my kids began drawing in their free time. It hit me! Art was a wonderful form of connecting with my kiddos. I soon had them helping me with sidewalk chalk drawings that attracted neighborhood kids. From there, my wife and I started teaching art classes from our home, enrolling more than 200 students in various weekly ‘art camps’ in our living room. It was a blast! And that led to me becoming a freelance illustrator and graphic designer on the side (in addition to a full-time career in international travel).
Now I find myself creating logos, t-shirts, trading cards, and even custom toys with friends. Social media has introduced me to other great artists and collectors all over the world. Even customers from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere have purchased some of my artwork to hang on their walls which is just amazing. I’m super grateful for all the support!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I never took courses in digital art, so there’s a real learning curve there. Thanks to some great friends willing to show me a few things, plus the help of YouTube videos, I figured out the basics of Adobe and Procreate, but I still have SO MUCH more to learn. I have nothing but admiration for those talented artists that can bring their wildest ideas to life through graphics software and digital platforms. I still feel a bit restricted based on what I don’t know (yet). There are some true creative geniuses out there that inspire me!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Great question. I’m obsessed with 80’s pop culture, so most of my artwork is based on movies, cartoons, and characters of that era. To be more specific, I love mash-ups, mixing different elements of my childhood into colorful new creations. I think I’m best known for “Wrestlers of the Universe” which combines classic WWF wrestling stars with the heroic characters of Masters of the Universe (He-Man). It’s such a fun concept that even Mattel released their own line of similar collectibles just a couple years after I started the series! “Wrestlers of the Universe” soon evolved into a complete set of 36 trading cards, puzzles, and shirt designs. Even famous wrestlers have purchased and/or shared the designs on social media. That might be the coolest thing of all! Over the next few months, a friend will be helping me launch a limited line of custom toys based on these same original characters. I’m excited for that!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Overall, the pandemic provided a little more free time to work on art projects and develop new ideas. As a family, we also took advantage of the time together to take road trips and explore famous movie sites and filming locations. Arcadia, Oregon is beautiful and an absolute delight for Goonies fans! The Covid-19 crisis was a rough time for all of us, but we made the most of it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retro.sketch.inc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retro.sketch.inc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrosketch_inc
