Art & Life with Alexis P. Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis P. Johnson.

Alexis, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I exist somewhere between a modern day and an Arabian night. I am a Believer, dreamer, Meyers-Briggs type ENFP, and all around super-nerd. I’m fueled by coffee, tea, art, and deep conversations. I’m an Arizona native, but it was only recently that I began to truly love my homeland and see its creative potential. I have been writing stories and poetry since I was a child and completed my first screenplay at age 10. I always knew I wanted to make films and that aspiration has been my guiding light.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a storyteller. Writing screenplays and developing the story is my bread and butter, but I also love being on set and watching it all unfold. My stories have many themes, but are often centered around finding light in the darkness, hope restored, and redemption. I tend to prefer stories with elements of the fantastical or mythical, but I am drawn to many genres and enjoy exploring them all. I also wrote a young adult novel a couple of years ago. While I am very proud of the world I created and loved it immensely, I discovered soon after completing it that novel writing simply isn’t as natural to me as writing for the screen.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
The financial struggle is the biggest burden and detriment to my progress–as I am sure it is for all creatives who haven’t “made it” yet. I still work a full-time job. I have a husband and a mortgage and all the usual bills to pay. I shell out so much of my own money for projects and divvy up my free time to balance other parts of life with my writing. It’s incredibly difficult, but the most important thing you can do is prioritize your creation. You don’t find time. You have to make time. That’s just the reality of it. If you are on fire and can’t seem to let go of your passion, then make room for it near the summit of your priorities.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
The best ways to keep up with me and support my projects are via Twitter and Instagram (both under @phoenicianrises), and also my website www.phoenicianrises.com.

Along with a full team, I am currently in production on a short film I wrote called “Adoration,” which is set and produced right here in Arizona. It has an IMDB page, and we hope to enter it into festivals in 2019. My goal is for this short film to gain the necessary buzz and interest to enable me to make it into a feature.

My novel is available on Amazon. It’s called “Chivalry’s Children.” Like nearly everything I do, this novel includes original artwork by my amazingly talented cousin and native Arizonan artist, Danielle Pajak.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.phoenicianrises.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenicianrises/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/phoenicianrises

Image Credit:
Danielle Pajak

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