SARASOTA, Fla. — Lipstick Lex is unlike any artist you've ever seen.
The bold Sarasota talent uses her lips and her lipstick to make amazing portraits of people who inspire her.
That's right, she uses kisses to create.
In her bright uplifting gallery, an Elton John lipstick portrait hangs near works featuring Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Rosa Parks. Each piece contains dozens of her trademark smooches.
"The kisses really represent love and self-love, beauty, personal empowerment, positivity," says the woman also known as Alexis Fraser. "I wanted to create art that was impactful, meaningful, and memorable. This is just feel-good art."
Lipstick Lex long donated money to causes close to her. But with the help of friends, family and the community, she wanted to build her own way to help.
So she did.
When the opening of her gallery was hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, she launched Kisses for a Cause to help and empower families in need.
The nonprofit's first program was called "Made With Love," for which she teamed with Feeding Tampa Bay and friends Ingrid Harb, Kim Linton and Kristi Finigan.
At a mobile food pantry, the group handed out 200 kiss-adorned tote bags filled with snacks and art supplies and general life necessities.
"It was about time for me to do something where I could give back," Fraser says. "Not only does it fulfill our own souls but it will also help fulfill the lives of others."
For more on Lipstick Lex, her art, and her mission, go here.
