Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Caire.
Hi Allyson, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was working full-time at a marketing agency in communications and public relations and felt like I needed a personal creative outlet from my 9-to-5 job. At the same time, my husband and I had bought our first house, and I decided rather than buying new art for our home that I wanted to create something more personal for us. I thought abstract painting sounded fun and began taking classes with Houston artist and educator Salli Babbitt. Those weekly after-work classes made me realize how much I’d been missing painting and creating. It had been several years since I’d taken any sort of art education, and I had always taken art classes in school. (I stopped in college at the University of Texas where I got my Bachelor of Science in Public Relations.) In classes with Salli, I discovered my love for painting through abstract expressionism.
I took a few years of classes, created a website, made some art sales and participated in a couple of successful art events. Coincidentally soon after leaving my full-time job, I heard about a studio space opening in Summer Street Studios in Sawyer Yards and decided to go for it.
Now I’ve had a studio in Sawyer Yards for 4 1/2 years (5 in February) and have a thriving small business that keeps me fairly busy!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since having a studio space, I’ve had two babies! They’re 2 and 4 1/2 now, so they’ve always gone to the studio with me and like to watch (and sometimes help!) Mama paint. I can’t say it’s really been a struggle but balancing a busy schedule with two kids (who are now in daycare full-time) and finding time to paint can be challenging sometimes!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an abstract artist based in Houston, Texas, and my work is inspired by geology, nature and fashion.
As an abstract expressionist painter, I use color and movement to create vibrant mixed media paintings. My preferred materials are acrylic, ink and resin on wood, and I rely on multiple layers of paint pours and color mixing to create my artwork. I aspire to create beautiful and multifaceted paintings that evoke a visceral response in my audience.
My most recent series from this year, the Jewel Series, was inspired by jewels and gemstones and features monochromatic jewel-toned paintings with gold and iridescent accents. Another favorite is the Oyster Series inspired by Gulf oyster shells, which includes mini paintings on juniper tree slices and larger-scale layered paintings on wood panels. The Oyster Series features layers of metallic gold, pearlescent and iridescent alcohol ink and acrylic on a neutral palette of white, pearl and gray.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think the art industry is going to continue shifting its focus to e-commerce and social media sales with less of a focus on in-person events and sales.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allysoncaire.com
- Instagram: @allysoncaireart
- Facebook: @allysoncaireart
Image Credits
Water Oak Studio (Jackie Schaefer)
Little Fig Photography (Erin Cheatham)
