The Lex Starr

Personal Info

I am a class of 96 graduate of Pershing High School in Detroit, Michigan.  During my four years at PHS, I lived in the Art room.  That is ultimately where I discovered my first love, painting. A close second to Art was my love of English.  Being the only female student in the Art class, I had to fight for the attention of my instructor.  Needless to say, I was successful. 

Immediately after graduating from high school, I had an interview with the Center for Creative Studies.  I was accepted.  They had a place for me in their annimation program.  Due to the cost of attendance, I couldn't accept the invitation. A few years later, after attending Wayne County Community College and working, I enrolled at Wayne State Univeristy. While there I successfully completed Education and Art courses.  My Art courses consisted of annimation, ceramics, metalsmithing, sculpture, printmaking, painting and design courses. My favorite course evolved around non-European cultures and design. I maintained a 3.2 and above GPA. I was a member of the National Dean's List and in the fall of 07, I made the WSU Dean's List.   

Company History

The Lex Starr was realized in 2006 by me, Alexis Franklin a.k.a. QueenLex.  Though I am experienced in most aspects of visual art, my specialty is painting. I refer to my work as garbage painting because basically anything goes.  I paint with my fingers, sponges, tooth picks and etc.  I enjoy what I do. Art is  a part of my every day life.  Creating Art is therapy, its rewarding and its necessary.

My work has been described as cartoonish.  I somewhat agree with that analysis be it that my ultimate goal is to work for Cartoon Network.   

I am not a perfectionist.  My work isn't perfect.  I really enjoy what I do and I have a lot of fun during the creation of my pieces...even when I'm accidentally burning myself with a torch!  Painting and computer aided design are my loves.  Each piece has character.  They are my beautiful imperfections....perfect flaws.

Customer's Choice

The pieces that people seem to love more than others are "The Lex Starr: Sun Piece", "The Magnolia", "Harlem's Fantastic" and "The Bride".  "The Bride" is currently hanging on the wall of one of my closes friend's home.  Once the picture was completed, she HAD to have it!  It compliments her home nicely....and I'm just not saying that because I'm the artist...it truly does look great on her wall! 

6/2006- The woman who purchased "Harlem Fantastic" is was very excited about the piece.  She emailed me when she got home the night after the purchase to inform me of how great the piece looked in her home.  She and her husband had visited Harlem and loved it.  My painting, I guess, brought thm back to that trip.  I really enjoyed reading her email.

6/2006 - A very sweet woman named Alice purchased my music inspired pencil drawings.  We still communicate to this day. She has the pictures hanging next to each other in a hall, I believe (I had them framed for her), she raves about them and any one who visits her home, does the same.  She calls me from time to time to see what I'm working on. 

8/2006 - DJ Ripp bought the other music trilogy that included "She Blows".  The day after he saw the pictures he was at my door, cash in hand.  He really loves those paintings!  He talks me up to everyone.

The Greek Town Art Festival was very good to me.  I made many contacts and sold all but 3 of my pieces.  I really enjoyed meeting the ladies who own Innergy Spa in downtown Detroit.  They purchased one of my pieces and they have two more up on their wall just for showing purposes.  They're great ladies...visit their spa!!

(More customer responses are coming soon 3/7/2009)

I'm really not trying to be like any other artist.....I just feel that the pictures without faces say more.  In those paintings, it's not about how the woman looks..it's about her surroundings and her style. 

When my jewelry is worn out...people stare.  I'm always asked questions about my completion process and the thought process behind each piece.  Each piece is made of Sterling Silver and the pieces are applied separately.  They're hot!!  You should get one!! 

I can duplicate my pieces (jewelry and paintings).  The pieces may come out the same....they may come out extremely better...they will definitely be pieces that you will love.  Like I said, I am not a perfectionist; my work is imperfect, but it's working for me! 

As the positive feedback comes, I'll update you.  So far I'm receiving nods.  It's great!  Thank you.