Have pencil, will travel
Upon first glance, Alex Miles gives the impression of just another teenager in search of himself; his lip is pierced, his hair is somewhat unkempt and his fashion is slightly alternative.
Upon speaking with Miles, the initial impression is squelched and his true intentions are made clear: He has a goal and he has laid a good foundation on his road to being an artist.
Miles, 18, is a recent University High School graduate. “I took every art class that was available,” he said, “even retaking some classes just for fun.” He has two large portfolios with sketches and photos of his work.
His pencil drawings are intricate. One is of a city built over a city and another shows Earth cradled by the roots of a large tree.
Circling the latter is a Volkswagen bus spaceship that has apparently dropped off alien robots who float in on parachutes with snowboards strapped to their feet.
His drawings will eventually become murals or tattoos.
His mixed media paintings include pastels, watercolors, newspaper and magazine clippings, and Sharpies.
A piece titled “Like Nothing Before” shows the silhouette of a figure gazing upon a city, perhaps contemplating all of life’s possibilities.
Miles’ future is filled with possibilities, and he does not doubt that, even with what he says was a far-from-happy childhood.
“I’m not afraid of curveballs. I’ve been dodging them all my life … I’ve always fended for myself. I don’t fear change,” he said.
He is proactive in his future: “If there’s a possibility of success, I’ll make it happen.”
Snowboarding is a passion; though he admits there are better snowboarders, he has managed to find half a dozen sponsors simply by being proactive.
He is also proactive with his art, finding work on the walls of Anderson Ink and Graffiti, two stores in the Spokane Valley Mall.
“I brought my portfolios in and sketched out a proposal.”
They accepted the proposals and he will add the designs to his portfolio.
Miles is living with his friend Miles Gossett and Gossett’s family in Otis Orchards. “Dean and Margarita (Gossett’s parents) have been very supportive,” Miles said. Miles plans on going to College of the Canyons in Valencia, Calif., in the fall and then hopes to transfer to the University of Southern California to study graphic design and go into snowboard design. His portfolio is already filled with ideas.
He will pay for college on his own with financial aid and a job.
His girlfriend, Jacy Towne, will join him to study fashion merchandising.
Miles knows where he’s going and he will be bringing his sketchbook. “The pencil to the page is a good counselor,” he said.