By Nina Livingstone
Alexia Stefanovich started Right Eye Studios in 2018. Due to health complications, Alexia has slowly gone blind in her right eye. “I thought of the name as a way to honor what I’ve lost while remaining grateful for everything I do have that allows me to continue painting,” she writes.
Alexia smiling and sitting on a wooden stool holding a paint palette next to an easel with a painting of a woman looking in the mirror on it (the painting is titled “Self-Reflection”).
What inspires your artwork? Can you describe your studio and how you work?
I am inspired by people, colors, and sunlight. My art was born out of an appreciation for all people and the ways in which joy brings cultures together. Even if you don’t speak the same language, if you smile at someone on the street and they smile back, you have had a meaningful conversation.
I have a very hard time painting on a dark or gloomy day, so I am very lucky that my studio has 3 big windows! When it is sunny, the light comes flooding in and I feel very peaceful and happy. I channel this inspiration into painting colorful, cubist portraits of people I observe in every day life.
Due to health complications from my Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, I have slowly gone blind in my right eye. Instead of dwelling on this or worrying about the future of my remaining eye, I use my energy to focus on what I can do — see out of at least one eye! Not letting my half-blindness hold me back became the inspiration for my art business name: Right Eye Studios. I love meeting people who make the most out of every situation, and observing human kindness and joy is what makes me put the bright colors on my paintbrush.
From the onset of your career as an artist, can you share a favorite story?
In 2019, one year into running my art business, an organization found my Instagram page and invited me to set up my work in a booth at their art show. It sounded like a night of great fun, and an opportunity to get my art out there. However, the venue was almost an hour away, and in order to secure a booth spot, each artist had to get 10 people to buy tickets (to cover event costs). I didn’t know if I would be able to do it — would that many people be willing to commute 45 minutes away on a week night to see my art? It seemed like a big ask, and suddenly I felt a sliver of doubt that I would be able to make it happen. I quickly decided I had nothing to gain by dwelling on a negative possibility, so I started texting my friends. One person immediately said they would come. Then two more. Then five more. Pretty soon 35 people had bought tickets to the show!! I couldn’t believe it. This memory has a special place in my heart because it reminds me that if you want something, those who care about you conspire to help you get it.
Alexia smiling and wearing one of her original hoodie designs. In the shop, this is “Hoodie Number 5” and Alexia is wearing it in White.
How did your career start and how has it grown?
Like most little kids, I loved to draw. After I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at age two and a half, I had to spend a lot of time in hospitals. This meant I spent countless hours in waiting rooms, hospital beds, and doctor’s offices where my physical mobility was limited. So, while other kids moved on to other games, I continued passing the time with my pencils and paper (this was before iPhones).
I kept loving art and the creative escape it offered me into my high school years. I began experimenting with different art mediums. In my third year of high school, I decided to try fabric paint, and painted a design on a black T-shirt. When my friends saw it, they said that if I made more, they would buy one! I got 10 more shirts, and started painting whatever designs my friends wanted. Soon, others were asking for a shirt! This gave me an idea… I made a Google form where people could explain what design they wanted, and sent it to students and faculty at my school. I sold to 50 customers and loved the feeling of making people happy with my hand-painted designs. I applied for and received a grant to cover buying the art supplies, and was then able to donate all the profits of my sales to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, which supports families of children who are receiving hospital care. Since I had stayed with them many times as a kid, I was very excited to be able to donate $750 to them.
In my second year of college, my sister and I invented a game — we would draw each other without looking down at the paper; the results were hilarious. I had so much fun that I started drawing strangers like this everywhere I went. Soon I started adding color to the doodles and putting them on canvases. From there my art style was born — colorful, abstract, happy human faces.
Now at 23 years old, I’m running my own art business (Right Eye Studios), I’ve had my work in multiple galleries, sold my art to over 300 clients, and built my own art website from scratch. I have so much to learn, and I can’t wait to see what this year has in store — who I will meet, what I’ll paint, and how my skills will develop!
If you could invite four celebrities (politicians, historic figures, singers, actors, etc) to dinner who would they be? What would you serve?
Rowan Atkinson (for the laughs), Henri Matisse (for inspiration), Agatha Christie (for the amazing stories), and Ines Longevial (a French artist I’d love to paint with).
This year I became really excited about trying new recipes, so I’ll pick some of my favorite new recipes I’ve made — beet hummus to start, followed by avgolemono soup, then chicken with a creamy white sauce (a recipe I learned on my trip to France), and for dessert I would make chocolate mousse.
A print available in my shop named “Dahlia.” It depicts an abstract female face, with many happy colors including purple, green, orange, blue, and pink.
Ten years from now, where do you see yourself? Where will you be, what do you want for yourself?
I am really passionate about art, design, and making cities more walkable and family friendly. I want to combine these passions by becoming an urban designer. I think one way a city can really benefit its citizens is by having the community come together and add beautiful and meaningful murals to sidewalks and buildings. Studies have also shown that living closer to a park or green space positively impacts physical and mental well-being.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My family! They live nearby and I try to see them as much as possible because I know that one day we won’t live so close to each other. I love my family very much and wouldn’t be who I am without their support.
You’ve traveled around the world, can you tell us your favorite place so far?
Last year I had the opportunity to make one of my dreams come true and visit Southern France. I instantly fell in love with the smells, sounds, and vibe of the people there. The lifestyle is exactly what inspires me and energizes me — outdoor seating, accomplishing things without needing to be stressed, spending time in cafes with friends, and warm weather.
Painting commission titled “The Long Embrace,” shows two figures hugging, one is yellow and one is green.
Haute couture, have it or not? What’s your favorite fabric, color, and designer? How about your favorite perfume scent? Favorite cosmetics line?
My favorite color combination for painting is orange, blue, and yellow. I’m inspired by bright colorful things I see, and I like when other artists use lots of fun colors in their paintings because seeing their work makes me want to pick up my paintbrush! My favorite scent is cocoa butter because it smells like sunscreen and the beach.
What do you like most about yourself?
My positive attitude and the way I never dwell on anything.
What should someone know about you before meeting you for the first time?
I’m blind in one eye, so if you think I didn’t say hi to you on purpose, I just didn’t see you!
Alexia smiling and sitting below two of her paintings hanging on the wall of a coffee shop in Washington, DC. The paintings are “Comfort” and “Mother and Son” and have both since sold. This was her first time having her work up in a public space.
Who is your favorite singer?
Since I speak 5 languages, I listen to music in each language to practice listening and translating. So, I have multiple favorite singers: Toni Dimitrova has a very unique raspy voice and is my favorite Bulgarian singer, Despina Vandi is a Greek singer my mom and I have sang along to since I was born, so her music is special to me, Joe Dassin sings French songs that make me feel happy, Camilo has great romantic upbeat Spanish music, and lastly in English I really like Norah Jones.
What is your most treasured possession?
I still have the blanket I was wrapped in when I left the hospital when I was born! My grandma made it for me and it reminds me of her.
If you would like to check out her online shop and portfolio, visit www.right-eye-studios.com.
