Rex Alexander (Ti Rex): Lake Charles' Master Potter Crafting Timeless Functional Art
Step into Stellar Beans on Broad Street in Lake Charles, and you'll be surrounded by stunning handmade pottery—from steaming mugs of dark roast to plates of fresh beignets and large bowls brimming with yogurt parfaits. These exquisite pieces are the creations of local artisan Rex Alexander, known affectionately as Ti Rex.
For sixteen years, Rex Alexander has honed his craft, describing his work as profoundly functional. His kitchen shelves overflow with mugs, countertop canisters, and bowls in every imaginable shape and size. Even his front porch features lush plants thriving in pots he fashioned in his backyard studio. While some pieces share similarities, no two are ever identical—a thrilling aspect of pottery that keeps Alexander engaged, as the final form only reveals itself after the kiln's fire.
His style is elegantly simple yet distinctly unique. Alexander primarily works on a pottery wheel, producing an array of round vessels like cups, bowls, pots, and vases. He favors earthy tones—rich greens and warm browns—and often fires pieces unglazed to highlight the clay's natural allure. Fans recognize his signature touch instantly: “People tell me they can see Rex when they see a Rex bowl. They can tell just by looking at it. They sense the energy in it.”
Each piece bears his iconic TRX stamp. “The first day of my pottery class, a Cajun lady called me Ti. Ti Rex. I made my stamp out of clay and have been using it ever since.”
Alexander discovered his passion later in life. As a child, he molded Indian pipes and arrowheads from yard clay and enjoyed crafts like basket weaving in Boy Scouts, though he never saw himself as an artist.
At 39, while studying geology at McNeese State University, a whiff of smoke drew him to the fine arts building, where he encountered three delightful women pit-firing pottery. “They pulled me into their group. We talked, and the next semester, they gave me clay to try.” That rough first mug still holds pride of place on his home shelf. Though he humbly downplays his artistry, he acknowledges the blend of craft and creativity: “I’m just really good at making pots.”
By day, Alexander serves as a lab technician at Westlake Chemical's Styrene Plant. Married with a family, he's restoring a 100+ year-old home in Lake Charles' historic district. How does he fit in pottery? “I don’t fish,” he quips. “But seriously, I love it, so I make the time.”
He participates in local events like Live at the Lakefront and Downtown at Sundown, not just selling but demonstrating his wheel-throwing skills under a tent for kids and visitors alike. Even without sales, these sessions boost his inventory. His next event was Lake Charles’ Chuck Fest on October 10.
Alexander accepts commissions but insists on creative freedom: “I don’t want my work controlled. Tell me what you want, and I’ll create options in my style and colors. Pick what you love—or we try again.”
Beyond sales, he gifts pieces to family and friends, including his wife Toni, and donates generously—hundreds of bowls to the Salvation Army’s Empty Bowl fundraiser and 100 mugs to McNeese’s KBYS-FM radio station. This reflects his deep commitment to the Lake Charles community.
Next time you're at Stellar Beans, request a Rex Alexander mug. Love it? Buy and take it home, or claim it with your name etched on the bottom for every visit.
For more on Rex Alexander's work or to browse and purchase, visit his website: trxtrxtrx.com.
Discover local artists like Rex at this year's Gallery Promenade. Click for details!
