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Alexi G. Orduño is a North Sacramento artist who paints the people, places, and experiences that shaped him. His larger-than-life acrylic paintings evoke neighborhood camaraderie, lifelong brotherhood, and nostalgic moments of the brown experience. As a first generation Mexican American, Alexi’s work is a deeply personal exploration of identity, culture, and resilience.
Entirely self-taught, Alexi approaches art as a bridge to his heritage, starting with pencil to paper sketches that evolve into bold, layered pieces. Whether painting, tattooing, or printmaking, his work tells stories that celebrate community and shared experiences. Inspired by family, nature, and the music of the early 2000s, Alexi captures the essence of la cultura without relying on traditional symbols. His art invites viewers to connect with feelings of belonging, pride, and nostalgia.
Profile picture by Serena Madrigal
Hi Alexi! It’s a pleasure to sit down with you! First question that I always ask. How does a regular day look like for you in Sacramento?
Alexi: Regular day for me can consist of many things, there’s a lot going on in Sac so I try my best to be out here supporting the motion, I love my city of trees. I wake up grateful. Im either working or at the crib, with my lady Schola, with the family or friends out and about, regular. I be at the house, there’s a lot keeping me busy right now a lot of planning in play. I make sure to learn something new everyday too.
I’m curious, growing up what kind of kid were you? What did you enjoy doing, and how did you spend your time?
Alexi: As a kid I was forsure curious and creative Ive always been on some art. I was doing a lot of drawing, my parents gave me pencil and paper to keep me busy since a baby. I enjoyed being with the homies as soon as 12 and 13 came around we were outside in the neighborhood doing the most and having fun on bikes everywhere fr. Growing up it was a packed loud house hella family living together plus fam from Mexico with us too. Much of my time was spent with them entertaining each other with fighting and laughing there was a lot of love. Me and my baby sister Syd were on some artsy shit before we knew what it was, making short movies with a camcorder getting creative.
I know you’re self taught. When did you start to paint, and when did you start taking being an artist seriously?
Alexi: I’ve always been making art. All throughout high school I was drawing and using paint markers. In 2016 I bought canvas for the first time and messed around with paint but I wasn’t doing much. I was shooting music videos for local artists still so I was mainly focused on directing. I started painting with more intention around 2020 while doing print and tattoo works on occasion. I just caught this feeling of trust around then to take the art more serious and invest time into my crafts. Seeing my progress made it easier to lean into.
Ok Alexi, with these next series of questions, I will try to delve into your work as best as possible… So, how does your identity as a first-generation Mexican American influence your art?
Alexi: It adds hella flavor. My pops is from D.F. and my mom is from NorthSac so I feel like it’s a wide range of inspo I pull from. The undertones are full of generational game you can see it in the colors, texture, symbolism.
What specific people, places, or experiences from North Sacramento have shaped your work the most?
Alexi: Man I would say experiencing some real homeboyism. The homies is the second family my player partners growing up I still see most to this day, we taught each other everything they’re like brothers to me, Chav Sco Joel Mario Chucho Mig Joey etc all outside navigating a mainey terrain with my brother Migie right by my side. From Northgate to the Heights these are vibrant places filled with culture and game it’s really a melting pot foreal. Family functions in Gardenland put me onto the importance of gathering with loved ones whether it was at grandma Carmen’s or Nini’s house it was crackin. My brother Ramon put me onto having an eclectic taste in music. Nana taught us all how to thug. My pops Miguel is a real hustler the epitome of hard work I’ve been witnessing that my whole life. I can go on, there’s so many influential people around me.
You mention that your art bridges your heritage. What does that bridge look like to you, and how do you hope others perceive it?
Alexi: It looks like a reflection of my personal connections that many people can relate to. I want people to see themselves expressed in a way they’ve never seen.
How do family, nature, and early 2000s music play a role in your creative process?
Alexi: I feel like I tap into all of those to provide me a sense of nostalgia. I also love being outside while I paint. I can be out there from early morning until late night.
Your paintings often evoke camaraderie and nostalgia. How do you approach capturing these emotions in your work?
Alexi: I look for specific moments, era, placement and whatever I feel is symbolic enough. I consider my own experiences as well.
With that in mind, would you consider yourself a nostalgic person?
Alexi: I guess you can say I am. I reflect on myself, my family’s memories, even if I wasn’t a part of them and it was before my time. I think it’s important to understand what we’ve been through in past generations. I also love vintage wear and household goods, doesn’t that make me a nostalgic person? It’s like recycling someone’s memories damn near.
Your art avoids traditional cultural symbols yet captures the essence of La Cultura. How do you achieve that balance?
Alexi: By thinking regular. It’s different when you’re inside looking out. When I find those details that feel like iykyk then I found the balance.
Do you see a connection between your work in tattooing, printmaking, and painting? How do these mediums inform each other?
Alexi: Yea there’s a connection across them maybe the way I approach layering translates over to each form. Everything starts with some sketching or some editing.
Your work celebrates community and shared experiences. What stories are you most passionate about telling?
Alexi: I think I romanticized everyday situations in the “Cultura” those are my favorite moments whether it’s between lovers, family, friends, or strangers. I think those simple moments also have a deeper feeling of community, resilience and belonging.
What is Baile916?
Alexi: Baile916 is essentially a collective of artists and organizers organizing. We’re working together to provide a platform for artists and their creations. It’s a party and gallery show, a safe space to celebrate. The community comes out looking 10/10 it’s a beautiful thing.
How did Baile916 come about and what are the plans for the future?
Alexi: Having a community Baile with art show was a topic of conversation for a few years between myself and my homegirl Natalia Itzali. We connected over our love for community, art, culture and all things Sac. I’m glad she kept me motivated to plan and organize, her work ethic is really inspiring. At the beginning of 2024 we approached both Celina Vallejos and Serena “Espinas” Madrigal with our concept. Both of them are sick with it, phenomenal multifaceted artists, our link up made sense. Celina I had previously worked with on an installation for a group show, so she already knew what time it was and the direction we were going. It’s easy to collab with them, they have fine taste and high level understanding in design. It quickly became our thing and we collectively cooked up how we wanted the atmosphere to look, feel, and sound.
In September 2024 with help and support from our loved ones we had an amazing opening reception, the community showed mad love. Hella beautiful people in the building. Dukes car club in the front, tacos in the back, and function in the gallery. All documented by the talented Ambercita.
What does “neighborhood camaraderie” mean to you, and how do you bring it to life on the canvas?
Alexi: It’s having that understanding with your peoples on some each one teach one. Sharing moments good and bad. Being young and mobby sharing love and knowledge It’s really a family thing I tap into.
Resilience and belonging. Can you tell me about why those themes are important for you to document?
Alexi: Honestly I’ve seen my people go through the most, with little resources and still shine. Incredible stories from my family and friends that I admire, they deserve to be honored.
Are there any recurring motifs or details in your paintings that hold personal significance?
Alexi: I’d say the different shades of brown. The brown experience.
Can you walk me through your creative process from beginning to end result?
Alexi: A lot of times I’m going off of photos I found or put together. I start with painting some background color then sketching in Sharpie on the canvas all freehand. I’ll draw out full faces full details to guide my brush when painting. I’ll add texture by caking up paint to add expression and details, sometimes it’s less, all depends on the images. I have to step back and look at the progress, I’ll step away for a day or two then go back and add more. Sometimes it’s weeks lol I try to cover the entire canvas unless I’m using more pen and sharpie. My materials are minimal I have a few tools and brushes I use. I guess I’m looking for a certain rawness to still be present at the end. It gets spiritual tho tbh. I have the slaps going I’m burning down and painting.
Can you also tell me about your use of symbolism?
Alexi: I know it’s present in my work. I think there’s often imagery in my pieces that symbolize a way of life, unity, love, struggle with cultural and religious elements sprinkled in on top of that. I’m in the middle of cooking up more creative ways to get ideas off in a not so deliberate way.
How do you approach color?
Alexi: I use the colors that matter most in the images I choose, colors that might bring out emotion or represent the time or place. I start with just primary colors and then go into mixing them. I like contrasting colors dark against light.
So with what we just talked about, what are you hoping to convey?
Alexi: I’m hoping to convey the beauty in what may seem rough or what may be seen as the underdog. I’m trying to convey the beauty in a chainlink fence, you know?
Ok Alexi, now to something totally different. In a parallel universe who would you be? and what would you be doing?
Alexi: I can’t think of anything too crazy but maybe I’m on the rancho tending to my cattle and goats out in the cuts on the side of a mountain. Something like that sounds hella peaceful.
Can you tell me a story about a time when a connection with someone had a big impact on you?
Alexi: Honestly my connection with the Baile916 team. It’s still fresh in life, we only started our thing last year but it’s changed the way I see art. I told you a little bit about how it came to be. I think as an artist I’ve dealt with a lot of self doubt in what I’m capable of, but collaborating and organizing in such a grand way with these other talents has brought me more confidence to produce on a big scale. Together we are very impactful, we can see how we’ve inspired others. The more we express the more we’ll evolve our affect.
What qualities do you find most important in the people you choose to spend time with?
Alexi: Genuine people that know themselves. Individuals that show honesty and loyalty. I like dreamers, thinkers that have vision.
Anybody you look up to?
Alexi: Yea a few OGs in my area, even some of my peers. My pops, he’s been a great role model to myself and a lot of other young guys around here.
What motivates you?
Alexi: A lot of times my motivation comes from a younger me I’m still listening to, el hijo de Miguel y Ramona. Doing things that make me happy. I’m motivated to see what I do next I’m genuinely surprised with my work every time.
How would you describe a perfect day?
Alexi: A perfect day for me definitely starts with some coffee or tea preferably at the crib. It’s sunny outside, if I can do some creative work that’s a plus. I’m with my loved ones, smoking good, eating good. Maybe walk around the town for some fresh air. End the night with a movie and dessert.
Alright Alexi, I always ask these two questions at the end of an interview. The first is. What’s your favorite movie(s) and why?
Alexi: Damn my all time favorite since I was a kid might have to be Blade. He was just going crazy on foos and that soundtrack is fire. But I’m not gonna lie I gotta give you my top 5
Blade
Goodfellas
Belly
The Crow
Colors
The second is. What song(s) are you currently listening to the most right now?
Alexi: I’ve been slapping Lush by Reaper Mook a lot I know that foo personally. I also been on some LAST ONE ALIVE’! By Pink Siifu, 1100 Himself Final 4 that whole Lev show album slaps.