Daily Inspiration: Meet Alexandria Hamm

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Hamm.

Hi Alexandria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m an abstract fine artist (Alex Hamm Fine Art | @alexhammart), digital illustrator (Majestik Magnolia | majestikmagnolia.com), and founder of illustrated Goods Gifts Co. Majestik Magnolia.

Professionally, a few years ago, I was a corporate CPA having what felt like a harebrained idea to use my art to inspire people to celebrate + connect to themselves. Because, I was feeling disconnected–from myself, my loved ones, my passions, the natural world. My mind, body, and spirit all felt disconnected.

I’ve always been an artist – I took art classes of all kinds throughout childhood and into early college. While I majored in accounting instead of art (I declared a major during the 2008 pandemic, and a classic case of following the head instead of the heart), the accounting career never fit me quite right.

Our modern world places so much emphasis on preset expectations, goals, and outcomes, that for so many of us, the inevitable outcome is that the only way some of us can achieve that IS to separate from ourselves and our desires…and sometimes this makes us feel like we don’t know ourselves or what we want. So many of us are floating through the day-to-day, disconnected from ourselves and the Majestik in life.

And we deserve more than that.

We deserve to #MagnifyTheMajestik in life – to share our attention to the things deserving of our love and joy. And so I created Majestik Magnolia and decided to dedicate my art to do just that – provide small, tangible reminders to help others recognize and capture the Magical and Majestik moments in life.

Sometimes #MagnifyingTheMajestik means sending an encouraging card to a friend going through a hard time.

#MagnifyingTheMajestik means that amid busy lives and schedules, you purposely put phones away, sit at the table, and eat a meal together — you choose to “Be Here Now” with one another and prioritize presence with intention. (Even if it’s just 10 minutes).

Or maybe #MagnifyingTheMajestik means sending a quick DM to a friend on social media with a “lol this made me think of you!”

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I developed severe Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), which is a condition where I may experience repeated episodes of the symptoms of anaphylaxis – allergic symptoms such as hives, swelling, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing.

What can cause anaphylaxis for people with MCAS is individual to each person. But for me, triggers have included chemical fragrances, high histamine foods, high oxalate foods, and food dyes (to name just a few). I spent a few years in and out of emergency rooms with “mysterious, unexplainable” symptoms before learning about MCAS and beginning major lifestyle modifications + treatment in early 2022.

I’m fortunate to be on a path to remission, and my calling to create art that inspires others has been a huge part of that. The journey has been long, hard, and not without sacrifice (I haven’t left a ~50-mile radius of my home in 2.5 years), but so worth it.

Living in a disabled body/chronically ill body is hard. Learning to listen to my body’s wisdom and needs has been both the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. The journey has revealed to me the very best parts of myself and the parts that have needed more love and care. It’s been the ultimate invitation to create + nurture the connection with myself that I so desperately needed. And wouldn’t you know it?

That connection is what has allowed me to heal and move toward remission the most.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fine artist and digital illustrator.

With my Illustration business, I’m on a mission to inspire people to connect to + celebrate themselves, and others, and #MagnifyTheMajestik every day. I create artwork with almost exclusively bold, vibrant colors. Why? (Aside from my love of the rainbow?) Such bold color creates an immediate, visceral reaction for a lot of folks – you will know in just a few seconds whether you like my work or not.

If you are drawn to my work, it’s an invitation to embrace something you love or share it with someone else! And for folks who don’t resonate with such a loud color palette, my work still creates an opportunity to have a moment of self-connection, no matter how brief. It’s powerful to share opportunities for people to practice recognizing “Yes, I love this!” or “This is cool, but not for me!” in a fun, low-stakes way.

Because creating and sharing art? It’s a ritual in connection and an antidote to our disconnected lives. And each time you share art (and create it!), you help #MagnifyTheMajestik. In my fine art practice (Alex Hamm Art | alexhammart.com), I’m currently focused on exploring.

Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Ask these questions, in order:

To serve:
1-What is it that I know how to do?
2-Who would benefit from knowing how to do that?
3-Who can introduce me to those folks?
4-How can serve them?

To grow:
1-What is it that I want to do?
2-Who do I know that has already done it?
3-Who can introduce me to that person?
4-How can I learn from them?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.majestikmagnolia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majestikmagnolia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majestikmagnolia
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/MajestikMagnolia/

Image Credits
Nicole Herring (@weseedenver)