Greenport Artist Alexa Suess Finds Creative Inspiration, Collaborative Energy on North Fork

NORTH FORK, NY-There’s a new tide of young people taking a chance and living a dream on the North Fork, as a sea of small business owners, farmers, artists, foodies and entrepreneurs have found inspiration and creative freedom surrounded by water, open space and rich history.

Together, they are working collaboratively and finding camaraderie in the North Fork corner of the world, creating an artistic and cultural revolution and changing the face of the area while still holding true to the core values that have defined the community for generations.

Patch is embarking on a new series, interviewing these young talents, and kicking things off is Greenport’s Alexa Suess, an artist known for her innovative design and a well-loved familiar face on the community canvas.

Suess, who is in her 20s, is currently the owner of Points East Design, a comprehensive graphic design and marketing firm based out of the North Fork and Brooklyn, Common Ground Adornments, a line of sustainable fine jewelry handmade in Greenport, and the co-owner of WhiteWash Collection, a line of sustainable luxury garments based out of Greenport and Brooklyn.

Greenport is home to Suess, who grew up in the village and attended grew Greenport Schools before moving on to the School of Visual Arts, in Manhattan where she studied graphic design and experimented with a myriad of different mediums.

“Today I live and work in a a beautiful old sail loft in the heart of Greenport and commute to Brooklyn and Manhattan for work when necessary,” she said.

Growing up in Greenport, she said, gave Suess ”a good perspective of how rapidly things have changed within the part 10 years economically —both on a local and global scale. After the height of the Great Recession I think a lot of young people grew up very disenchanted with the idea of the traditional employment model. We saw our family, friends, and loved ones lose their jobs overnight and deal with the downfalls of that. I think that rise and fall of maximalism gave way to this amazing wave of small businesses; the values shifted from quantity to quality very quickly.”

The advancement of technology also opened wide new doors, she said.

A Cultural Shift on the North Fork

“Nearly anyone who had the tenacity and an idea could start a business and we saw that cultural shift change everything — especially out here on the East End as our popularity rose in tandem. Within just the past five years there’s been this tremendous explosion of small businesses —from escargot to hand-carved pens — many owned by young first time entrepreneurs that were eager to get into the scene and start collaborating. I like to think of the entire East End as a big open office; we all frequent each other’s businesses to exchange ideas and form relationships that might not have been forged anywhere else. That makes where we live and work special for everyone. You can feel the warmth and the connection when you step into almost any business in Greenport.”

Reflecting on her own work, Suess said all of it, spanning from fashion to digital design, is based on the idea of minimalism and the ancient Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi.

“Wabi Sabi is unique in the sense that it’s an aesthetic that emphasizes impermanence, imperfections, and simplicity while honoring objects that are humble and utilitarian. At WhiteWash my partner and I sway toward sustainable materials like bamboo jersey, leather, and cupro and create silhouettes that are flattering to the eye but more importantly, comfortable and wearable. Common Ground is similar— I use recycled sterling, gold, and platinum but also feature materials that are normally overlooked like a simple beach stone, a gem with inclusions and imperfections, or a raw uncut diamond. Those unique details have always spoken to me and I enjoy working with natural items because I can ensure no piece will ever be the same. “

Suess said she’s collaborated with a number of North Fork businesses, including One Love Beach, Lucharitos, The Weathered Barn, North Fork Oysters, North Fork Sea Salt, Metal Monk, Blue Ruth, and Sundowner Charters.

“That’s not to mention all of the artisans and individuals that I’ve had the pleasure of branding or collaborating with through the years. Each client is a piece of the larger story out here — one of hard work and a great sense of community,” Suess said.

Looking ahead, Suess said she’d like to see her Common Ground Adornments go global someday, as WhiteWash has already; to that end, she’s currently seeking investors. But when it does, she’ll need a “much larger metal studio and much more time,” she said.

East End as Artistic Paradise

The East End, Suess said, speaks to her core sensibilities.

“There’s something about the textures of the East End . . . the cracking paint of an old Victorian home, the rust on the side of a worn fishing vessel, the organic structure of a group of barnacles on a rock. I love paying attention to the textures and lines found in not only nature but our industrial and maritime history.”

Suess is also sharing her gifts with students, teaming up with Greenport Art and Design to offer intro to silversmithing courses.

“Teaching is something I love doing and finally finding the right place to do it has been really wonderful,” she said.

The intro class, she said, consists of just one session of a few hours and in that session, participants learn how to forge, form, solder, texture, and finish three silver rings. The next class will likely be in April and spots go fast, she said. Suess also recently started offering private silversmithing lessons in her personal studio.

Reach for the Stars

Although young, Suess said she does not feel as though age was ever a consideration. “I knew what I wanted to do and I went for it without any solid guidance. I made a lot of mistakes, I learned from them, and I always kept a day job. I think the word ‘passion’ holds a lot of expectations so I don’t like to use it but your energy and drive has to to come from somewhere. As soon as you tap into it and start doing what you love, the solutions to the rest of the problems that lie ahead will come. That flow, that progress, is what makes it all worth it for me.”

To others still grappling with whether or not to take the leap and pursue a dream, Suess has words of wisdom: “You just need to take the first step. Make a plan. Find your target audience. Solve a problem. Fill a need. Brand yourself well and be consistent. Seek mentors. But most importantly, keep moving forward. Building a business from the ground up takes time and can be extremely daunting but taking it one step at a time will keep you motivated and excited for the next milestone.”

Patch photo courtesy of Jesse Elliott.