July Artist Spotlight: Alexandria Mesz, Brings Jeff Knoblauch's Ark Ship Atlantis To Life

July Artist Spotlight, Emerging Artists, Alexandria Mesz, Artist Interview

She’s Truly A.Meszing!

By Mindy McVay

Alexandria Mesz, known as Alex or Drea, is a local Kansas City Illustrator who is currently contracted by Midnight Garden Publishing House to bring our author, client Jeff Knoblauch’s, ark spaceship “Atlantis” to life. Alex and Jeff have been meeting for a few months to ensure an accurate and dynamic illustration that breathes Atlantis into life.

“I truly fell in love with the detailed work that scientific illustrations require.”

Alex refers to herself as a Renaissance woman who enjoys science, art, and learning Spanish as a second language. Originally attending college with a Microbiology major, she worked closely with her biology professor to create a scientific poster for a science conference. In 2019, she tried to take art classes, but due to Covid, she struggled without in-person classes.

In 2025 she participated in a scientific illustration program and was able to attend in-person classes for the first time. “Having live models to capture and personal direction from the instructor was pivotal for my art. I truly fell in love with the detailed work that scientific illustrations require.”

Alex attended our open house call for illustrators and graphic artists for Midnight Garden Publishing at the InterUrban ArtHouse in January after seeing a flyer on Facebook. Midnight Garden Publishing was truly impressed with her attention to details and the realism of her art.

When asked, when did she realize art was a passion she recalled a core memory of drawing fashionable dresses in the margins of her school notebooks. “In sixth grade specials I was picked for an award in Art and in middle school I was inspired by anime and drawing people.”

Her current obsession is realism, graphite, water colors, and still figures. She admits that she is still finding her niche style. She loves capturing objects that she can hold and observe. Alex is influenced by the work of Susan Theroff’s fine art, whom she had the chance to meet at a Topeka Art Guild event. “I love the accuracy, detail and fantasy that she blends effortlessly into her work.”

“…youtube channels of squirrels at play for dogs really helped to capture the sense of movement of the grey squirrel in the tree.”

Alex honored our newsletter and blog by letting us showcase her art. Her first piece is called “Huntress Stalking A Grey Squirrel” the piece depicts her dog, Mocha, chasing a grey squirrel up a tree. “This piece was a new medium for me. The prompt subject was “Habitat.” Alex showcases both her dog and the squirrel's natural habitat utilizing Scratch Board. The tree and the leaves were scratched into the board and the fine lines were created with dip pens. I used ink mixed with water as a watercolor to make shadowy dimensions in the tree’s canopy.” She went on to explain. “ I practiced these techniques on small scratch boards and utilized a picture I had previously taken of Mocha, looking up a tree as well as youtube channels for dogs to help depict the anatomical movement of squirrels. This really helped to capture the movement of the grey squirrel in the tree.

In her second piece entitled “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, her prompt was to capture three different textures. She practiced all three objects separately. First, to control the textures of each object. “The Geode was the hardest texture to replicate.” She explained. “ The paper was interesting to capture as it was the softest texture and required me to utilize lines that hint at the existence of lines in soft spaces. Perfecting the reflection of metal on the scissors was my favorite thing to portray.” Alex, stated.

“Golden Pothos, on scratch-board with stippling was my second stippling piece, the first piece was a cross section of a garden tomato. I took a lot of techniques that I learned from “Cut Tomato” and incorporated them into “Golden Pothos. I wanted to show the variation of colors and shadow in the leaves. Instead of drawing the hard lines around the leaves and stems, I stippled them as well, which lent to a more realistic plant that popped off the page.” Alex recommended the use of red lens glasses to show grey scales and check values in the art. They are very affordable and really help you see the art from a different perspective.” She also suggested, to help you determine how much of the plant should be included in the picture, to place a piece of white paper behind the actual plant as a field of observation and help focus you on what will be captured in the piece.

“I really wanted to realize his vision on the page.”

When asked about her experience working both with Jeff Knoblauch and Mindy from Midnight Garden Publishing she shared, “Jeff gave me a lot of flexibility to design his spaceship and we were able to collaborate together on the shape of the command deck at the head of the ship to make sure it was exactly what he wanted. Going into our first meeting, I felt like I was walking in to a dark forest without a map or a compass. But, between Jeff providing me a road map of what he was looking for in the illustration and Mindy providing a compass by asking additional questions to draw details out of Jeff’s imagination, it really helped me feel comfortable doing the first round of sketches.

I found working with Midnight Garden Publishing an easy learning and growth experience and have enjoyed working with Jeff. I really wanted to realize his vision on the page. Jeff has approved my final sketches to be done and I inked the sketch for the final illustration this last weekend. I have a few final things to add but the illustration of Atlantis is almost complete.”

“Collaborating with Midnight Garden Publishing an easy learning and growth experience and have enjoyed working with Jeff and Mindy.”

We asked Alex if she had any advice for other illustrators and graphic designers wishing to work with a book publishing company. She expressed, “ I really feel like I am a beginner designer and am still learning the ropes, but I would encourage artists to build up your confidence and your skills. The worst thing that could happen is that they say no, or don’t respond to your art. But when they do respond, they could really love your work and it could turn into an amazing opportunity.”

Alex’s contract with Jeff Knoblauch for his ship’s illustrations will conclude in July and she will be available to take on another contract if any of our readers and author clients are interested in graphic design or illustrations. Please contact Midnight Garden Publishing to discuss the many local artists that are interested in collaborating with our local Kansas City authors.

Thank you Alex Mesz for letting us showcase your wonderful and playful art with our readers as well as working with us to help envision Jeff Knoblauch's Atlantis Arkship. His third book will be debuting this fall, look for upcoming information for the pre-sale of Journey of Atlantis: Rogue A.i Rising.