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Alexej OMalley

635

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

My name is Alexej and I am a photographer, writer, podcaster, visionary, storyteller, video creator and editor. I am a junior at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, Texas pursuing a Bachelors in Communication while additionally pursuing my passion as a freelance photographer. I have experience in the service industry and running my own business while juggling work and school.

Education

University of St Thomas (TX)

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Communication, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Photography

    • Dream career goals:

    • Owner

      Freelance
      2019 – Present5 years

    Arts

    • Freelance

      Photography
      2019 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Fans of 70's Popstars Scholarship
    I am an artist. Creativity revolves around the core of my identity and it bleeds into everything I do. In the essence of my being, I am a creator, telling my stories and the stories of those who can't speak for themselves through visuals such as photography, videography, and multi-media artworks. I use my photography and self-portraits to communicate feelings of worthlessness, joy, grief, love, heartbreak, sorrow, and loneliness to the viewer, as well as express the feelings of living with mental illness and close the gap between those who experience these emotions in intense ways and those who do not. My writing is heavily influenced by folk music, which is my favorite genre. This obsession started when I attended a folk festival and met many people who were pioneers of the hippie movement of the 1970s and I fell in love with their openness and their passion. For a long time, I did not know what my intentions with my art were, and I still feel as if I have a lot of growing to do in that department. Recently, I feel as if I have allowed myself to express myself more freely and I am allowing myself to be physically present and vulnerable in my photographs in ways that allow for a greater representation of my artistic aspirations. I intend to grow with every piece I create and to impart in a visual manner the stories of the life I have lived and will live and the stories of others who are voiceless. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and those themes are fully present in my work, whether or not it is obvious to the viewer at first glance. It is a keynote that I include in my photography- sometimes intentionally and other times in underlying ways that I do not notice at first. I believe that all of my experiences have combined to create who I am, and my art is a direct mirror of that person and who I want to be in the future. I have found that my artwork is a direct parallel to the emotions I feel at the moment of the idea’s conception, whether it be joy, grief, worthlessness, or a hunger for something greater. My creation is always heavily influenced by my emotion. I hope to one day have the capability to express my artistic vision to its fullest and be able to communicate a reflection of my soul as accurately as possible. I think the most explicit way to achieve this will be through videography and combining my writing with videos to create short films. I have long searched for a place to call home, and I have decided to create that within my art, whether it be a piece an individual can view and escape from reality or a piece that exists for people to emotionally rest and feel as if their souls are understood. .
    A Man Helping Women Helping Women Scholarship
    I am an artist. Creativity revolves around the core of my identity and it bleeds into everything I do. In the essence of my being, I am a creator, telling my stories and the stories of those who can't speak for themselves through visuals such as photography, videography, and multi-media artworks. I use my photography and self-portraits to communicate feelings of worthlessness, joy, grief, love, heartbreak, sorrow, and loneliness to the viewer, as well as express the feelings of living with mental illness and close the gap between those who experience these emotions in intense ways and those who do not. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and those themes are fully present in my work, whether or not it is obvious to the viewer at first glance. I plan to use my art and influence to bring hope and awareness to survivors. It is a keynote that I include in my photography- sometimes intentionally and other times in underlying ways that I do not notice at first. I believe that all of my experiences have combined to create who I am, and my art is a direct mirror of that person and who I want to be in the future. I have found that my artwork is a direct parallel to the emotions I feel at the moment of the idea’s conception, whether it be joy, grief, worthlessness, or a hunger for something greater. My creation is always heavily influenced by my emotion. For a long time, I did not know what my intentions with my art were, and I still feel as if I have a lot of growing to do in that department. Recently, I feel as if I have allowed myself to express myself more freely and I am allowing myself to be physically present and vulnerable in my photographs in ways that allow for a greater representation of my artistic aspirations. I intend to grow with every piece I create and to impart in a visual manner the stories of the life I have lived and will live and the stories of others who are voiceless. I hope to one day have the capability to express my artistic vision to its fullest and be able to communicate a reflection of my soul as accurately as possible. I think the most explicit way to achieve this will be through videography and combining my writing with videos to create short films. I am currently creating a short documentary about human trafficking, telling stories of survivors who slipped through the cracks. I have long searched for a place to call home, and I have decided to create that within my art, whether it be a piece an individual can view and escape from reality or a piece that exists for people to emotionally rest and feel as if their souls are understood.
    Heather Lynn Scott McDaniel Memorial Scholarship
    As a daughter of a single mother with four kids, I have been providing financially for myself since I graduated high school. Although my mother helps where she can, she has other responsibilities. She is a teacher and often we struggle to make ends meet. I currently hold three jobs and I am also a full time student. I own my own photography business and make money where I can. I have been lucky enough to make it this far with a roof over my head and people who love and support me, but it has not been an easy journey. I am an artist. Creativity revolves around the core of my identity and it bleeds into everything I do. In the essence of my being, I am a creator, telling my stories and the stories of those who can't speak for themselves through visuals such as photography, videography, and multi-media artworks. I use my photography and self-portraits to communicate feelings of worthlessness, joy, grief, love, heartbreak, sorrow, and loneliness to the viewer, as well as express the feelings of living with mental illness and close the gap between those who experience these emotions in intense ways and those who do not. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and those themes are fully present in my work, whether or not it is obvious to the viewer at first glance. It is a keynote that I include in my photography- sometimes intentionally and other times in underlying ways that I do not notice at first. I believe that all of my experiences have combined to create who I am, and my art is a direct mirror of that person and who I want to be in the future. I have found that my artwork is a direct parallel to the emotions I feel at the moment of the idea’s conception, whether it be joy, grief, worthlessness, or a hunger for something greater. My creation is always heavily influenced by my emotion. I believe education is the backbone of society and I hope one day it will become accessible to everyone regardless of financial capabilities. As a student who works and has experienced the ways in which communities turn to for survival I accept the responsibility on my shoulders to create a world in which future generations can pursue higher education without the worry of where their next meal will come from.
    Barbara J. DeVaney Memorial Scholarship Fund
    I would use this money to invest in my education and creative projects I am pursuing, one of those being a documentary short film about human trafficking and abuse in the sex work field. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and those themes are fully present in my work, whether or not it is obvious to the viewer at first glance. It is a keynote that I include in my photography- sometimes intentionally and other times in underlying ways that I do not notice at first. I believe that all of my experiences have combined to create who I am, and my art is a direct mirror of that person and who I want to be in the future. I have found that my artwork is a direct parallel to the emotions I feel at the moment of the idea’s conception, whether it be joy, grief, worthlessness, or a hunger for something greater. My creation is always heavily influenced by my emotion. For a long time, I did not know what my intentions with my art were, and I still feel as if I have a lot of growing to do in that department. Recently, I feel as if I have allowed myself to express myself more freely and I am allowing myself to be physically present and vulnerable in my photographs in ways that allow for a greater representation of my artistic aspirations. I intend to grow with every piece I create and to impart in a visual manner the stories of the life I have lived and will live and the stories of others who are voiceless. I hope to one day have the monetary capability to express my artistic vision to its fullest and be able to communicate a reflection of my soul as accurately as possible. I think the most explicit way to achieve this will be through videography and combining my writing with videos to create short films. I have long searched for a place to call home, and I have decided to create that within my art, whether it be a piece an individual can view and escape from reality or a piece that exists for people to emotionally rest and feel as if their souls are understood. I plan to fully invest my time, enegry, talent and money into completely and accurately telling the stories of my experiences and others around me.
    Wild Scholarship
    I am an artist. Creativity revolves around the core of my identity and it bleeds into everything I do. In the essence of my being, I am a creator, telling my stories and the stories of those who can't speak for themselves through visuals such as photography, videography, and multi-media artworks. I use my photography and self-portraits to communicate feelings of worthlessness, joy, grief, love, heartbreak, sorrow, and loneliness to the viewer, as well as express the feelings of living with mental illness and close the gap between those who experience these emotions in intense ways and those who do not. For a long time, I did not know what my intentions with my art were, and I still feel as if I have a lot of growing to do in that department. Recently, I feel as if I have allowed myself to express myself more freely and I am allowing myself to be physically present and vulnerable in my photographs in ways that allow for a greater representation of my artistic aspirations. I intend to grow with every piece I create and to impart in a visual manner the stories of the life I have lived and will live and the stories of others who are voiceless. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and those themes are fully present in my work, whether or not it is obvious to the viewer at first glance. It is a keynote that I include in my photography- sometimes intentionally and other times in underlying ways that I do not notice at first. I believe that all of my experiences have combined to create who I am, and my art is a direct mirror of that person and who I want to be in the future. I have found that my artwork is a direct parallel to the emotions I feel at the moment of the idea’s conception, whether it be joy, grief, worthlessness, or a hunger for something greater. My creation is always heavily influenced by my emotion. I hope to one day have the capability to express my artistic vision to its fullest and be able to communicate a reflection of my soul as accurately as possible. I think the most explicit way to achieve this will be through videography and combining my writing with videos to create short films. I have long searched for a place to call home, and I have decided to create that within my art, whether it be a piece an individual can view and escape from reality or a piece that exists for people to emotionally rest and feel as if their souls are understood.
    WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
    Winner
    I am an artist. Creativity revolves around the core of my identity and it bleeds into everything I do. In the essence of my being, I am a creator, telling my stories and the stories of those who can't speak for themselves through visuals such as photography, videography, and multi-media artworks. I use my photography and self-portraits to communicate feelings of worthlessness, joy, grief, love, heartbreak, sorrow, and loneliness to the viewer, as well as express the feelings of living with mental illness and close the gap between those who experience these emotions in intense ways and those who do not. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and those themes are fully present in my work, whether or not it is obvious to the viewer at first glance. It is a keynote that I include in my photography- sometimes intentionally and other times in underlying ways that I do not notice at first. I believe that all of my experiences have combined to create who I am, and my art is a direct mirror of that person and who I want to be in the future. I use visual arts to bring awareness to things I have struggled with and have watched loved ones struggle with, and I fully believe that creating a culture of acceotance begins with art.
    Godi Arts Scholarship
    I am an artist. Creativity revolves around the core of my identity and it bleeds into everything I do. In the essence of my being, I am a creator, telling my stories and the stories of those who can't speak for themselves through visuals such as photography, videography, and multi-media artworks. I use my photography and self-portraits to communicate feelings of worthlessness, joy, grief, love, heartbreak, sorrow, and loneliness to the viewer, as well as express the feelings of living with mental illness and close the gap between those who experience these emotions in intense ways and those who do not. For a long time, I did not know what my intentions with my art were, and I still feel as if I have a lot of growing to do in that department. Recently, I feel as if I have allowed myself to express myself more freely and I am allowing myself to be physically present and vulnerable in my photographs in ways that allow for a greater representation of my artistic aspirations. I intend to grow with every piece I create and to impart in a visual manner the stories of the life I have lived and will live and the stories of others who are voiceless. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and those themes are fully present in my work, whether or not it is obvious to the viewer at first glance. It is a keynote that I include in my photography- sometimes intentionally and other times in underlying ways that I do not notice at first. I believe that all of my experiences have combined to create who I am, and my art is a direct mirror of that person and who I want to be in the future. I have found that my artwork is a direct parallel to the emotions I feel at the moment of the idea’s conception, whether it be joy, grief, worthlessness, or a hunger for something greater. My creation is always heavily influenced by my emotion. I hope to one day have the capability to express my artistic vision to its fullest and be able to communicate a reflection of my soul as accurately as possible. I think the most explicit way to achieve this will be through videography and combining my writing with videos to create short films. I have long searched for a place to call home, and I have decided to create that within my art, whether it be a piece an individual can view and escape from reality or a piece that exists for people to emotionally rest and feel as if their souls are understood.