The Artist
Meet Alex
The story behind So Laid Back: how a Sheffield childhood, graffiti energy and a brush with the darkness became a life of purpose.
My name is Alex. Born in Sheffield in 1981, I grew up surrounded by a close family who meant everything to me. From a young age, I was naturally inquisitive, driven by a deep curiosity about the world and how things work.
That early fascination quickly found an outlet in drawing and painting, with a particular fondness for cartoon-style art. That passion truly took root at school, guided by an encouraging art teacher who was the first person to recognise my potential. His belief in my talent gave me the confidence to explore new styles, leading me directly into the world of graffiti art — a natural evolution from the dynamic cartoon illustrations I had always loved.
A wall is honest. It shows every hand that touched it. I want a canvas to do the same thing.
Chapters
The moments that shaped the work
Curiosity first
Born in Sheffield in 1981, Alex grew up in a close family with an early fascination for how things work. Drawing and painting became the natural outlet — especially bold, cartoon-style work.
A teacher who saw it
An encouraging art teacher was the first to recognise the potential. That belief gave Alex the confidence to push beyond the page and into the energy of graffiti art.
From the wild to the wall
A brief run-in with the police over unauthorised spots became a line in the sand. Energy was redirected into legal walls, commissions and a practice built on respect for the craft.
Paint as the way back
Addiction was a dark chapter. But the focus required to create became the path out. Today, Alex is firmly on the other side, channelling those experiences into positive, creative work.
More than a hobby
When painting, Alex enters a state of complete calm. Art is no longer just a skill — it is purpose, and the primary way to connect with the world.
From the wilderness to the work
While my journey began in traditional art spaces, my enthusiasm for graffiti eventually spilled over into unauthorized spots, leading to a brief encounter with the police. That experience served as a turning point. I redirected my energy exclusively into authorized locations and legal canvases, refining my technique and discovering my true voice as an artist.
As my work gained recognition, people began encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone. This opened the door to custom commissions, including a detailed portrait of Whitby that remains one of my proudest pieces to date.
Art has also been my anchor through personal hardship. For a time, I struggled with addiction, a battle that started with cannabis and escalated to harder drugs. It was a dark chapter marked by secrecy and dishonesty — a time spent lost in the wilderness. However, the process of painting provided the clarity and focus I needed to break free.
Today, I am firmly on the other side of that struggle, using my experiences to fuel positive creative energy. When I paint, I enter a state of complete calm and immersion. Creating art is no longer just a hobby or a skill; it is my purpose and the primary way I connect with the world.
Timeline
How it happened
- 1981
Born in Sheffield
Raised in a close family where curiosity, drawing and cartoons were part of everyday life.
- School years
The teacher who believed
An art teacher recognised Alex’s potential and gave him the confidence to explore new styles.
- Youth
Graffiti takes hold
The dynamic energy of cartoon art spilled into graffiti — first on paper, then on walls.
- Early 2000s
The challenging years
A dependency on substances saw Alex lose his way for a period. It was a difficult chapter, but one that ultimately set the stage for a renewed focus on art and purpose.
- Turning point
A line in the sand
After a police encounter over unauthorised work, Alex committed to legal, authorised canvases and walls.
- Commissions
Stepping outside the comfort zone
Encouraged by friends and collectors, Alex began taking custom commissions — including a detailed portrait of Whitby that remains a proudest piece.
- Today
So Laid Back
A studio practice built on purpose: originals, limited prints and bespoke commissions that carry years of lived experience.
Want a piece of this story on your wall?
The studio takes a small number of bespoke commissions each year — canvases, interior installations and full exterior murals.
Start a Commission