In 2021, Alex Quirk was trying to decide between grad school for psychology or giving art a real shot. “I hit a crossroads,” they said. “I could keep going down the path of counseling, or take a leap and see where my art could go.”
She chose the leap. What came next was Works of a Quirk—a brand full of hand-carved prints, pressed flowers, painted landscapes, whimsical illustrations, and one very fitting name (her sister came up with it). “I wanted it to feel unique, genuine, and fun,” Alex said. “And, well, Quirk is my last name.”
Her work is slow, on purpose. She carves wood blocks by hand. Press flowers she has grown herself. Make paper from scraps. Reframe old antique finds. “It’s tedious, but rewarding,” Alex told us. “Each piece is done with care—the slow and thoughtful way.”
Ink drawings were her first love, and she still comes back to them often—no pencils, no sketching, just ink on paper. “It’s bold. You have to embrace the mistakes.”
Alex is the first to say that being an artist is not easy. “Each piece you put out into the world is a lens into a very personal part of you,” they said. And then there’s the hard stuff no one sees—like panic attacks before art shows or trying to run a business while navigating mental health challenges. “It’s tested every bit of fortitude I have,” they shared. “But I’ve learned to lean into the mess. That’s where the growth happens.”
The goal with each piece is simple: “I just want people to feel a little lighter. A little more at ease. Maybe crack a smile or take a breath before heading back into the world.”
That’s something we believe in deeply at Parker + Scott—making space for softness, honesty, and a little weirdness too. Alex’s work reminds us to slow down, look closer, and let things be imperfect.You can find their work at worksofaquirk.com or follow along on Instagram at @worksofaquirk. You’ll also find their art in the shop, quietly waiting to catch someone at just the right moment.