Local painter shifts careers to become ‘artist for underdogs’
Nov. 28, 2023
From childhood, Alex Lunstra felt called to create art.
“I’ve always been an artist,” she said. “When I was growing up, I tried to find recycled materials out of the garbage and turn them into craft projects. I would make things come to life.”
The former senior life underwriter left that career several years ago to found A.L. Art & Prints, producing items as diverse as acrylic paintings, coloring books for children and adults, and plants that she promises are “unkillable.”
Her creations will be part of Saturday’s 605 Made Holiday Market. It’s the first time Lunstra will take part in the event, and she’s excited.
“My grandma was too,” Lunstra said. “She was like, ‘Ooh, you made it!’”
A.L. Art & Prints started with acrylic paintings. Lunstra prefers that medium over oil paints because acrylics dry quickly and changes can be made easily.
Her subjects often are abstract people or animals, but most recently, insects drew her attention.
“This summer, I was on a firefly kick, so I’ve got a lot of firefly paintings,” Lunstra said. “My paintings are bright and whimsical, kind of abstract but usually based in nature.”
Some of Lunstra’s canvases are as small as 2 inches in diameter while her largest canvas was 4 feet tall. While she likes producing large canvases, Lunstra recognizes some people want to satisfy their need for beauty in their home and workplace but have limited funds.
Lunstra, who also offers art classes, likes to think her artwork appeals to women age 25 to 40 whose spending money for nonessentials could be restricted.
“They may have only $20 to spend on something, but they can splurge and feel good about that,” said Lunstra, who works part time at Sunny’s Pizzeria. “I’m in the same boat. It’s about being an artist for the underdogs.”
Lunstra’s artwork also can be seen in the coloring books she has created. Three years ago, she drew a coloring book that focused on pets, then decided to take enthusiasts on her personal tour of Sioux Falls. Through the pages of her book, they can visit sites like the Statue of David and the iconic Mr. Bendo figure, Zandbroz Variety and the Pettigrew Home & Museum, and learn a few tidbits.
Another coloring book focuses on summertime critters such as ladybugs and frogs, while farm animals appear in a coloring book based on a South Dakota homestead.
Her coloring books are appropriate for all ages. They allow for detailed work, such as the bricks and stones that make up the historic Pettigrew House, or permit more random coloring.
For her other creations, Lunstra has added decorative pots with paper succulents or porcelain mushrooms to give people an artistic option that doesn’t hang on a wall.
A plant lover herself, she knows that not everyone wants to fuss with watering and adequate sunlight.
“These are only a couple inches big, but they’ll help you make your cubicle area your own, or you can have them sitting in the basement,” Lunstra said.
The 605 Made Holiday Market will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the lower-level parking area of the original Cherapa Place office building in downtown Sioux Falls. That’s at 300 N. Cherapa Place on the east bank of the river between Sixth and Eighth streets.
Items will be sold as one cohesive pop-up shop. 605 Made is co-organized by Knotty Gnome Variety & Salvage and SiouxFalls.Business. The First National Bank in Sioux Falls and Pomegranate Market are the sponsors.
To view a complete vendor guide, click below.
