Alexcia Grant’s Love Affair With Visual Arts

Eighteen-year-old Alexcia Grant of Brown’s Town in St Ann, has always had a love affair with art.

Her mother discovered her talent at just two years old, when the toddler drew a picture of them going to the supermarket, and Alexcia has not stopped drawing since, with her work adorning every corner of the family home.

While she had raw talent, it wasn’t until years later, while attending St. Hilda’s High School, that she had her first lessons in art.

“I didn’t start practicing art until grade eight. I got an assignment from my art teacher at the time where he said we should draw a two-point perspective drawing. I went home and I researched and did it and when I brought it back to him, he said I was really good.

So, I started practising more from then,” Alexcia shares with JIS News.

As she began to hone her skills, Alexcia’s childhood ambition of becoming a medical doctor got thrown out the window. She knew she had found her one true calling as a visual artist.

“At first, when I was growing up my mother said I should become a doctor. So, for years, I had it in my head that I wanted to become a doctor. I was scared to tell my mom that I wanted to change my career path, but I eventually mentioned it to her, and she has supported me since,” Alexcia tells JIS News.

Now a sixth former at York Castle High, the teen, who describes herself as an innovative and creative person, draws inspiration for her art from the world around her and uses her spare time to perfect her skills.

She deems art as an important aspect of her life, noting that it is an avenue for expression given that she suffers from social anxiety.

“I am not a very talkative person, and I am not really good at expressing myself, so I use art as a vessel,” she shares.

Alexcia’s work is known for its vibrant splashes of bright colours and her style ranges from realism to semi-realism. She also wants to develop her skills in depicting the human anatomy.

“My work has evolved a lot over time. I recently discovered my interest in semi-realism, so I have been practising a lot recently. Before, I was focused on realism and making [my art] as realistic as possible,” she tells JIS News.

In September 2022, Alexcia took on the challenge of entering the Jamaica Information Service’s (JIS) Heritage Poster Competition where she was selected as a finalist in the grades 10 to 13 category.

While she did not take home the first place trophy, she says the competition was one of the most memorable experiences since her artistic journey.

“I was able to showcase my work across the country and I was also able to represent my school,” the teenager notes.

Her dream project is to create a mural at York Castle or St. Hilda’s, which she says, will allow her “to express my creative freedom and also to further develop my skills.”

Though her artistic skills are innate, Alexcia says her journey to perfecting her craft did not come without its challenges.

“My journey has been somewhat, not necessarily complicated, but I have had troubles with it at first. Art is a thing that you have to practice, so sometimes, when you do something and it doesn’t turn out to your liking, it can be frustrating, but I stay patient and practice and here I am now,” she says.

Her mother helps to keep her grounded and has been Alexcia’s main source of inspiration.

“My main drive is my mom. She has supported me a lot, encouraged me a lot. Most of the times when I am not motivated to continue to do a piece she will be like ‘Alexcia, you need to complete this, you need to continue,’” she tells JIS News.

Alexcia aspires to become a fine artist and have her work on display in galleries around the world.

Already, Alexcia has been earning from her talent, with requests from students for drawn portrait pieces.

Her mother, Nordia Moulton, in recalling the moment she first discovered her daughter had a special talent at two-years old, shares that she was extremely shocked at how well her drawing captured them shopping together.

Ms. Moulton says Alexcia was not an expressive child but shared her innermost thoughts through drawing.

“If I want to know anything, I look in a scrap book, on a piece of paper or on my wall, on my dresser or anything that I have she would make some print on it,” she laughs.

Ms. Moulton is confident that Alexcia’s gift will create room for her, not only in visual arts but the fashion industry.

“She was not taught art. She was born with that gift, and it will take her far, even into fashion because she is now designing dresses because even her prom dress, she designed it,” her mother shares.

Alexcia’s Visual Arts teacher, Shanique Brown-Moulton, who has been instrumental in developing her artistic skills, says the teen puts a lot of hard work and dedication into her craft.

“Alexcia is the type of person that can sit down and conceptualise …which is very good. So, it tends to help her work be more original… She will take her time and ensure her work is properly executed,” she shares.

Mrs. Moulton says that even though Alexcia has a long way to go, she has every confidence that she can become one of Jamaica’s finest artists.