Alexandra Kilburn

Artist + Alexandra Kilburn

I am a painter, muralist, illustrator, and designer, living and working in the French Quarter. I work in a variety of painting media including oil, acrylic, gouache, and house paint, and my painting style varies widely according to the chosen media. My work emphasizes the strength of femininity and nature, attempting to offer space for peace (particularly in these times of great national strife). I am originally from Atlanta, but have lived in Prague, Boston, Chicago, New York, Halifax, and Cape Town before settling in New Orleans in 2014. Each place has contributed invaluable inspiration for my studio practice, for which I will be forever grateful for. In addition to painting projects, I also co-run Luna Raae, a vintage clothing pop up that focuses on celebrating New Orleans style expression and encourages divestment from fast fashion.

My oil paintings, which I call "Where-Scapes", explore imaginary spaces that linger between worlds and inspire a sense of curiosity as coping mechanism for loss. I am thinking about the dualism of absence and presence, exploring where a human imprint is felt in an ethereal space and light can emerge from darkness.

My 'Saints' are created on salvaged wood using acrylic or latex paint. They are imaginary deities inspired by the celebratory spirituality of the crescent city, containing elements of medieval iconography, Russian nesting dolls, contemporary street art, and American folk art. These goddess figures are intended to bring good energy into the spaces they inhabit. They are a meditative release to create, an opportunity to play with color and pattern in inventing character.

My murals involve layers of botanical imagery, encouraging reflection on the unparalleled beauty of our natural world, and our tragic, but primary, role in its destruction. I hope to inspire a sense of joyful calm within small businesses and homes in the city, similar to that which can be achieved in nature as a reminder for the value of its conservation.

I am very grateful to Where Y'Art and the Nola Media Group for having me participate in the 300 for 300 project, highlighting remarkable people who have contributed to the beautiful place we all call home. I do all of these portraits in gouache on paper, using information gathered through research to include elements of each persons story in their portrait. It has been a fun and challenging journey so far and I look forward to working on this throughout the year.

FRENCH QUARTER 

Meet the Artists

Local art is the lifeblood of our culture and communities. We source work from hundreds of painters, muralists, sculptors, metal workers, printmakers, illustrators, photographers, and textile artists, every one of whom is part of your local community.

Johnny Cash
Greg Giegucz Clayhead Studio
Illustration / Works on Paper / Prints
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
Greg Giegucz
Le Bon Temp Roule
Nurhan Gokturk Illustration / Painting
BYWATER/LOWER NINTH WARD
Nurhan Gokturk
Fragility- Fine Art Print
Kate Hanrahan Illustration / Mixed Media / Painting
Kate Hanrahan
Bicycle in the Marigny
Lyla Clayre Illustration / Painting
TREME / 7TH WARD
Lyla Clayre
London Errands
Maggie Covert LeBlanc WalkingMan Studios
Illustration
UPTOWN
Maggie Covert LeBlanc
T.D.B.C Presents: RIP Jeffrey Cook
Dapper Bruce Lafitte Illustration
NEW ORLEANS EAST
Dapper Bruce Lafitte
The Mourning After
Carlos Mendieta Illustration
MARIGNY
Carlos Mendieta
Sunset at Point Reyes
Michael McManus Illustration
MID CITY
Michael McManus
Hallelujah
Sondra Venable Works on Paper / Prints / Calligraphy / Illustration
UPTOWN
Sondra Venable
Photographs: Dreamscape
Brandy Dufrene Photography / Illustration
Brandy Dufrene
The Letter L
Jon Guillaume Illustration
FRERET
Jon Guillaume
Promenade
Cora Rose Nimtz Illustration
8TH WARD
Cora Rose Nimtz
;