Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Powell.
Paige, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a professional graphic designer and mixed media artist. With a background in advertising, my digital collages combine playful, bold color with a humorous nod to the absurd.
The 318 Collages mix Shreveport landmarks with vintage and modern cultural elements for a surreal look at my hometown.
In The Couch Series, I experiment with stunning color saturations and whimsical personalities to create storybook portraits reminiscent of album covers that captivated me in youth.
I studied fine arts with a focus in studio painting at Stephens College and graduated from the Art Institute of Dallas in 1993 with a degree in Music and Video Business. I honed my professional talents in the Dallas music industry before returning to Shreveport.
Locally, I worked as an artist for National Mail-It and Millennium Group Advertising. I also served as Communications Director for the State Fair of Louisiana, designing the fair’s first website, before joining Eldorado Resort Casino. I served as Eldorado’s artist for over eleven years and managed the casino’s brand aesthetic.
In 2016, I left the casino to pursue freelance graphic design and focus on my own artistic endeavors. A love of travel and cultural events has provided me with a camera roll of photos ready to create faux dreamscapes and depictions of the world around me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I didn’t have a plan when I left my design job at the casino. I was going to travel a little and do freelance design until I found another 9 to 5 job in graphic design. I signed up for the Shreveport Downtown Artwalk and set up a table with some of my prints. I was terrified of interacting with the public and speaking about my art to others. In the beginning, I would just sit down at my computer and start combining photographs and play around. I did not have sales goals in mind, and the collages were very spontaneous and came from a place of joy and exploration. I would post them on Instagram and Facebook and suddenly found that people were interested in them. A local publication used one on their magazine cover, and then I was asked to have a solo exhibition of my work at Minicine? I did not know where any of this would lead, but things happened quickly, and my first show was a success. I found the attention to be a little overwhelming. I didn’t feel prepared or like I deserved it. I struggled to talk about myself and my process. I took an Artist Entrepreneur course from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and began to settle into my new career. I had to find some kind of routine because none of my days were alike, and it made everything feel chaotic. I continued participating in group exhibitions and moved into a studio in 2018 where people could shop my art. I began to relax and find my groove.
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 believe my strongest work is in digital collage. Around Shreveport, I am known for my art of our local landmarks. I use photographs of these beloved spots and remove them from their setting to create a surreal environment and a different take on the building. A lot of times, I select a place because of the unusual architecture or the fact that it is special to me, even going back to childhood. In 2019, I was asked to exhibit my artwork in the Shreveport Regional Airport. I hung over 30 pieces, and they remain there to this day. When people see me selling my work at a pop-up or art festival, the most common question I am asked is, “Do you have art in the airport?” People tell me they really enjoy seeing my art welcome them home when they travel. I have also worked with a New Orleans-based company who curates art for commercial spaces. They have placed my Shreveport Landmarks (The 318 Collages) in a lot of local hospitals and medical facilities. I am most proud of my work that hangs in commercial spaces, as my goal is to design for and hang in public places. I believe what sets me apart is the medium I work in. In a place where paintings still dominate, my unique blend of photography mixed with vintage elements and a twist of humor and absurdity make it stand apart.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
When I first left my design job at the casino, I traveled and listened to a podcast called “Don’t Keep Your Day Job.” I think listening to all of the success stories of people striking out on their own inspired me. At first, I said yes to every opportunity that came my way, even if it wasn’t an exact match for what I was looking for. You never know who you will meet or where a project will lead you. I said yes until I was successful and busy enough to be more selective. It helped me forge my path. Sometimes, other people have a vision of where they can place your art that you may have never considered. Be open!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pixelpaige.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixelpaige/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixelpaigedesign
