Allison A. Stevens
Artist & Designer
Artist Statement
In my work, I attempt to capture the nuance and charming uniquities of a subject, scene, landscape, object, character, emotion, or relationship, and then share with you what makes each thing beautiful, or worthy of reflection.
This art emerges from a predisposition to intensely scrutinize the world around us, an instinct to find unusual subtle details, and an aspiration to amplify the artistry that can be found in the everyday to others.
The quieting process of keenly observing a subject, of finding the colors between the colors, the focus required to reproduce a semi-realistic impression of it while romanticizing it a little to draw attention to its unique features, the act of creating with my hands, the mental process and the physical motor process itself, are all aspects of creating art that I adore.
I also simply want to add more beauty to the world whenever possible. If you’re making something functional, why not consider the design as well? Even if you’re creating an everyday object, why not make it beautiful? Can you make someone happy with something you’ve made? Then do it.
And finally, is there a way to make a difference? Sharing these everyday observations aren’t typically going to create a seismic shift in society at large, but if it can have an emotional effect on one person, or draw our attention to the beauty of the world around us for a moment and remind someone not to take it for granted, or empower someone to take a positive step, then my small mission has succeeded.
Bio
Allison Stevens grew up amidst the sunny, natural landscapes of North Florida, spent nearly a decade immersed in the art, music, and energy of her beloved New York City, and then returned to Florida to live closer to family.
She has degrees in Fine Art and Interpersonal Communications from Hunter College and NYU. Her work is displayed in private collections and commercial office spaces, in addition to some public pieces, including an outdoor portrait mural.
She has an extensive history working in graphic design, web design, and visual communication, although over the past several years Allison has been able to focus more on fine art and produce both large and small scale artworks in various media, mostly watercolor and oil painting.
She has served on multiple community boards including the City of Gainesville Beautification Board and the board of the Center for Independent Living, a disability resource center. She has been an active advocate for disability awareness and regularly works with young people with disabilities. She has worked in small groups on creative communication exercises and enjoyed leading small group art days.
Allison lives in Gainesville, Florida with her husband and their two adorable collies.