ALEXIS MARIE (AM)

ARTIST BIO

Alexis M. Soto (pseudonym AM) is a self-taught queer, disabled, Latina artist born with Cerebral Palsy. She was raised in the small town of Tehachapi, California, but has since relocated and is now based in Bakersfield, California. Alexis’ artistic journey began in 2019– creating works using only printer paper, pens, and pencils. She currently works within the digital medium, and has expanded both visually and thematically as an artist through the years. Her unique style lends itself to influences like Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo. Alexis’ lived experiences and emotions stand at the forefront of her creative process, and her artistic expression serves as a way to make sense of the world and cope with chronic pain in her daily life. In 2024, Alexis was selected to participate in a virtual group exhibition, “Flawless: Embracing Imperfection in Art” curated by Women United Art Movement— which was later included in a print publication for issue VIII of Women United ART MAGAZINE Additionally in 2024, her work was on view at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. In 2025, two of Alexis’ works were featured in a group show, “Vajanuary”— held at The Bunker SLO in San Luis Obispo, California.


ARTIST STATEMENT

I am a U.S.-based digital artist and illustrator specializing in abstract and expressionist works that prominently feature figures and faces. My art is deeply influenced by the human form and the ever-shifting social, political, and economic landscapes—particularly their impact on marginalized communities, including women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities.

Rooted in my personal mental health journey, my work explores themes of femininity, self-discovery, and vulnerability. I create in both black and white and color, balancing bold, structured lines with delicate, expressive strokes. This interplay, combined with my focus on raw emotional expression, results in pieces that evoke both tension and tenderness—offering honesty in its purest form.

As an artist, my hope is that viewers see themselves reflected in my work—as if to say, “I have existed in this space before, and these feelings still live within me.” I strive to communicate the value of empathy and mutual understanding while emphasizing the power of feeling. That is what makes us human: we are all interconnected through our emotions and shared experiences—the essence of what it means to be alive.