About The Artist

Hi, I’m Alex Sanford, the artist behind Rad Alex.

I’ve always loved making things. I started out with acrylics and watercolors, and about ten years ago I found my way into digital illustration. I love the flexibility of it, but my roots are still very much in hand-drawn work and traditional art.

I’m endlessly inspired by children’s books and hope to illustrate one (or many!) in the future. In 2024, I took my work out into the world and started selling at markets and festivals — a big, exciting step that made this whole creative life feel very real.

I’m a stationery enthusiast through and through: cards, notebooks, stickers, bookmarks — if it’s paper goods, I probably love it. I also create wearable art in the form of tees and hoodies, because there’s nothing better than seeing art actually used. Spotting someone wearing my work “in the wild” is truly my favorite thing… I have been known to point and shout about it (sorry to anyone nearby).

Though I was born in the Pacific Northwest, my family moved back to the region in 2020, and it feels like coming home. The mountains and trees are in my blood, and I’m deeply grateful for our community here on the Kitsap Peninsula. I’ve met so many wonderful people and can’t wait to meet more.

When I’m not creating, you’ll find me at home with my favorite people — my husband John (if you’ve visited us at markets, you’ve definitely met him), our two awesome boys, our big gentle guy Cooper, and Tippy, our cranky old lady pooch. I love reading, cold plunging, a really good cup of coffee… and reading again.

Thanks for being here and for supporting my art. It means more than I can say.