The Book Of Life With Miami-based Artist Alexander Mijares

When Alexander Mijares burst onto Miami’s art scene a few years back, he immediately grabbed the attention of art fans in the local area and beyond. The uber popular Miami-based artist has quickly established himself as one of South Florida’s most vibrant and promising talents. A Miami native with Cuban and Spanish roots, the burgeoning artist turns to the colorful energy of both his city and heritage as a great source of inspiration.  In addition to esteemed collaborations with international artists Pez, Desire Obtain Cherish and Kenor, Mijares has headlined profile events during Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Wynwood and ART Santa Fe, as well as participated in prestigious exhibitions in NYC’s Times Square, the Hamptons and Los Angeles, to name a few. 

Recently distinguished by CBS Miami as one of the Top 5 Up-and-Coming South Florida Visual Artists for 2014 and by Elite Daily as a Top 10 Influential Artist of 2013, Mijares aims to lend his talent to charitable causes both locally and internationally. In October 2013, Mijares partnered with the Louis Vuitton Volunteers Project to create a new and inspiring gymnasium mural with the children of Alonzo Mourning’s Overtown Youth Center, Mijares’ primary philanthropic cause on the local level. Weeks later, he traveled to Haiti, teaming up with Project Medishare to create a series of angel-themed murals promoting hope, optimism and positivity. Additionally, Mijares serves as a founding member within the “Influencer Circle” of YoungArts, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering the next generation of young artists.

Mijares’ latest project was his creation of a colorful, beautiful piece of exclusive art made especially for Twentieth Century Fox movie studio’s new animated film, The Book of Life. We were invited to a private screening of the movie at the Regal Theater in South Beach to cover the project. The film is a vibrant fantasy-adventure, telling the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village. It was wonderful, and we saw it in 3D, which made it even better. Thereafter we were invited to the Epic Hotel in Downtown Miami to meet with Mijares for a private unveiling of his new art piece for the collaboration with Twentieth Century Fox, who tapped the hot, young artist to create a one-of-a-kind, signature painting especially for the new film. We had the opportunity to sit down with Mijares for a brief interview to learn all about this incredible art and film collaboration.

Q – How exciting to be tapped by Twentieth Century Fox movie studio to create a piece especially for the wonderful, new animated film, The Book of Life. How did this opportunity unfold?

A – It just so happens that someone at Fox saw a piece that I did inspired by the film Rio 2. After seeing that piece,  they reached out and asked me to create a painting inspired by their new film, The Book of Life.

Q – The film was incredibly artistic and colorful. How did the creative component of the film, the storyline and the characters inspire you? How did you come up with the idea for this art piece?

A –  Jorge Gutierrez, the director, told me how the movie came to be based on the stories he was told as a child. After gaining a better understanding of his inspiration, I was able to envision a concept for the painting that incapsulates the film’s main themes. My painting features the 3 main characters from the movie: the warrior, the guitarist/bull fighter, and the young girl who captured their hearts. In my painting, both men are down on one knee holding Maria’s hand​;​ however, on one side you have​ Monolo with his guitar and nothing between him and his love,​ while Joaquin is shown adorned with his medals and holding his shield. This is meant to be a resemblance of how both characters’ lives are cast in the shadow of their fathers and how each reveal truth of their own hearts and love for Maria. Maria is seen in the painting rising from the Book of Life.

Q – People respond to your work in such a powerful way, what kinds of emotions and experiences do you feel are present in your work that create this sort of intense reaction?

A –  I feel my work has a lot of movement and color, which seems to grab people’s attention and make them feel as they are a part of the painting.

Q – You work with a lot of major brands and companies, what’s next on your list of amazing art collaborations?

A –  I have a few in the works, but I want them to be a surprise for Art Basel in December. In the next few weeks, I will be doing a piece for the Boys and Girls Club in Miami and the 58th Annual Vizcaya Ball. 

Q – What is the best part about being an artist?

A – The best part for me is to be able to inspire and influence others with my work.

Q – What do you do when you’re not creating, what types of hobbies or interests do you have?

A – I love to be at the beach. If I’m not painting or working, I’m usually by the ocean.

Q – We can’t wait to see you and your work during Art Week in Miami, what are your plans for Art Basel Miami Beach 2014?

A – I have big plans this year with several shows… Stay tuned.

Q – Is there anything else that those viewing your work should know about you and your art?

A – I’m going to keep doing my best to create new and inspiring works.  This is only the beginning. I have been painting for 4 years and I am excited to see where I will go next.