Meet Alex Pillow | Multidisciplinary Designer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Pillow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The way I see risk is that there’s risk in every decision we make. Some decisions offer more risk than others, but ultimately, it’s those risks that will push us further than staying comfortable.

I used to hate the anxiety that big decisions gave me, but now when I’m faced with opportunities that give me that feeling, I’ve started to understand and lean into that anxiety rather than suppress it. I’ve found that making the “less comfortable” decision has lead me to where I am today and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Taking risks has allowed me to put my creativity out into the world and form a mindset that allows me to create, post, and live regardless of the thoughts and opinions of others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is a reflection of the vast ocean of inspiration that surrounds me, defying a specific style that screams ‘ALEX PILLOW MADE THIS.’ While my mixed media work may have a distinctive flair, my designs remain free and unrestrained, embracing the excitement of creative freedom. I reached this point by following signs and going with the flow, interpreting cues and coincidences as guidance. It’s not always easy, especially when I’m drawn toward significant life changes, but I prioritize the path that feels right. Key lessons I’ve learned along the way include the transformative power of will (manifesting as some refer to it), the reciprocity of projecting positive energy, and the importance of seizing opportunities for personal and creative growth. In essence, my brand is the convergence of creativity and adventure, where my creations meet an enduring desire to explore and learn about myself, the world, and those around me. I just want to make beautiful things for the world and deepen my connection with it at the same time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend had a week in Durham, I’d want them to soak up the city’s eclectic charm. We’d kick off with a nature-filled morning at Eno River State Park, maybe grabbing lunch at Foster’s Market or the Durham Food Hall. A Bulls game and dinner at Tobacco Road Sports Cafe would follow for the quintessential Durham sports experience. Evenings? Geer Street is where it’s at, with stops at Surf Club, Accordian Club, and Motorco. For arts and culture, we’d hit up the Nasher Museum of Art and explore the cool little shops on Ninth Street. Culinary adventures include Pizzeria Toro and a foodie exploration at Durham Food Hall. Shopping sprees at Ninth Street and Southpoint Mall would add a local touch. A day dedicated to tattoos at Twin Suns Tattoo and a live performance at the Durham Performing Arts Center would be on the agenda. We’d wrap up the week with a laid-back brunch at Monuts or It’s a Southern Thing, a final stroll through downtown, maybe stopping by Cocoa Cinnamon. It’s a mix of nature, arts, local eats, and a touch of the unexpected – Durham style.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My friends and family above everything else. Specifically the people I grew up with, my core group of friends that I’ve known since before elementary school. We still say this to each other all the time, but we couldn’t have gotten any luckier as kids coming of age. There were about 6-7 of us that lived next door to each other, all around the same age, all boys, and always doing stuff together. Whether it was running around in the woods behind our houses, playing video games together, or longboarding, we always had shared activities.

It’s these connections with them that allowed me to find security in myself and always know that no matter what happened, I had a group of people who were there for me that I could turn to. To this day, they’re still my best friends.

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