South Carolina native Alease McClenningham is a mixed-media artist and instructor in the Fashion Marketing and Management Program at the Art Institute of Charlotte. The self-proclaimed collage architect has a zest for life and great love of family history that she frequently incorporates into her work.
1) Art: "My favorite artist would have to be Romare Bearden because of the strong influence his collage pieces have on my own work. My collages feature a lot of portraits, so I have a strong connection to renaissance portraiture as well."
2) Music: "I love all R&B soul music. Joss Stone is one of my favorites."
3) Fashion: "I love all things fashion! As a fashion instructor I believe that labels are not important; I'll shop every label from designer to Wal-Mart."
4) Travel: "Charleston, S.C., has the best of everything: wonderful food, art and architecture. I appreciate the history of the city; every time I go there I feel as if I have traveled back in time."
5) Inspiration: "My family inspires me in every aspect of my life, especially in my art. We are a huge group, something like 60 or so grandkids."