Meet Lexus Christión | Model, Writer/Poet, & Fine Artist

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

Hi Lexus, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe an artistic approach to discovering the world opens your eyes to the beautifully impossible. Even upon girlhood, modeling proved to be a vehicle for expressing complex human emotion. It boosts emotional morale because posing behind a camera, making video content, and donning a face of makeup creates an extension of one’s true desires. The creative arts have also led me to a life of drawing, writing poetry/prose, and even oil painting delicate portraits. One’s creativeness supports an intuitional approach to understanding the self and a world full of others to achieve universal harmony. Life itself is an art form; it is meant to be lived beautifully. Why not chose to think and behave using more emotion? It has not failed me yet.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a self-taught fine artist, poet, writer, and model. I began modeling in 2017, connecting with photographers through college and Instagram in the Austin and Dallas areas. My goal this year specifically is to gain professional representation from a reputable modeling agency. Over the years, I have gained social interaction with scouts from some of the most productive agencies in the business; my biggest accomplishment is gaining a “like” and loving comment from the CEO of Elite Model Management. I know that if I keep putting out pristine consistent work, I will have gained a portfolio experienced enough to land a spot in an agency that can further develop me. I have also had the opportunity to work with a professional photographer who usually only works with signed models, but shot with me because he saw my potential and wanted to help build my portfolio.

I truly look forward to modeling professionally; however, I know that the job is a daunting one. It requires one to be “on-call” and flexible with work life. Modeling also is a big world of being told “no” constantly because you may not fit the client’s “look” at the time. The critiques from other professionals models want to work with can take a toll on one’s confidence. I have learned, however, that being told “no” is to be used as fuel to the fire of your persistency. This is why I keep working when doors get shut; it simply means that there is another opportunity waiting for me somewhere else, so I know to keep working until it presents itself to me. Also, a deep sense of knowing who you are and your values are important in this industry. It is vital to not allow others to dictate what you represent. This is why when my time comes, I will show people who I am, and if they don’t like it or I am “too much,” I will find a place where I am desired or simply create that space for myself because I deserve it.

I also began oil painting at the beginning of this year. Right now, I am focusing on creating images from my childhood memory. Once I am comfortable with oil paint medium, I will experiment with mixed media, and when circumstances allow, sculpting. Currently, I am building a website to showcase and sell original pieces and prints of my art. I will also reprint my images on items that remind its recipients of the universal elements of nature so that my art becomes “shapeshifting.” Painting images straight from memory allows me to process pivotal moments of my childhood while honoring my memory of it, so my pieces take some time to complete. Because of this, I am learning to be patient with myself while working through my emotions as I create fantastic images that viewers may perceive completely differently from what I intended (and that is okay).

Additionally, I have been writing a poetry book that is to be in the publishing process in the next year or so. Themes involve the emotional and spiritual transformation of the black psyche. I have been writing these poems for 5 years, and over this period I have grown and changed many times, so my pieces reflect that. While the title remains anonymous until completion, my goal is to take the black American experience and give universal meaning to grief, pain, spirituality, hope, and divine promise. This poetry book is targeted to all of humanity from the perspective of a black child, teenager, then a woman in hopes of bridging the gap in human connection.

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.
Dallas is one of the best places to tour. If I had a friend visiting, I would first take them to the Dallas Art Museum (which is free admission right now!). I would also take them to one of my favorite restaurants, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine or Serious Pizza. We would most likely spend the weekend bar hopping/clubbing in Deep Ellum, which is always fun. Another thing I like to do on the weekends is to hit up Klyde Warren Park and watch the latest event on the grassy turf and fish out some tasty food trucks along the busy strip. I am a nature person, so I would take my guests to White Rock Lake to lounge, ride bikes, fish, or have a picnic, or to the Heard Museum, a natural science museum and wildlife center.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank bell hooks for writing “All About Love,” a book that forced me to review the lack of love within myself and past relationships with others. hooks taught me there is always a possibility for love and compassion in every sector of life. This book singlehandedly restructured how I think about mental health wellness, create boundaries for myself/others, and (trigger warning) the sporadic healing & recovery process regarding emotional trauma. I know now that love and pure intentions are the foundation of every task I complete and every person I meet.

I would also like to thank close friends and family who have stuck with me specifically during the last two years of my life as the lessons I learned have fundamentally catalyzed my self-worth and potential as an outspoken figure of the arts. These people have shown constant love, support, and possess the ability to see both the desirable and undesirable sides of myself and still accept me for who I am.

Instagram: instagram.com/lexchristion

Other: Email: lexusmccullough5@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photo uploads courtesy of @visualtothet, @nxbxdysfavxrite, @_semaj3 (IG)