Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Fox.
Allison, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve been drawing and creating since I was in preschool. My mom fostered my love for art by enrolling me in art classes as a middle schooler where I learned to paint in watercolor and then acrylics. Eventually, that interest blossomed into a major in art in college at Houston Baptist University in addition to my other major of accounting. During university, I expanded my repertoire to oils, which are still a favorite of mine.
After graduation, the time I was able to dedicate to creating was edged out by my professional and family obligations during the early period of my tax career and when my sons were young. I joined an art community called IMAGO Houston and eventually moved into the group’s leadership for several years. Through this community, I was able to find time to create again, even if it was only a small amount. The group of people that I befriended through my time with IMAGO greatly influenced my art journey, and I still count them as some of my favorite people.
Now that my children are older, and with the support of my wonderful husband, I am able to set aside more time to create. I’ve realized that it’s an important outlet for my sanity to deal with the daily stresses of my “regular” career. I consider painting my creative therapy,
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My paintings of late have been two types of exploration: landscapes and abstraction. Landscapes are something I’ve not focused on in the past, so I’ve challenged myself to thoroughly explore that subject matter. Abstract art is liberating for me as an artist who began heavily entrenched in realism.
Currently, most of my painting is in acrylics due to their fast drying time. I’m by nature rather impatient, so waiting for oils to dry can be tortuous. I’ve recently discovered acrylic flow painting which is incredibly freeing in that, while I can influence the artwork’s end result by the colors selected, technique, and paint formulas used, there is also an element of chance in how the paint will flow. Throughout my art career, I’ve loved examining the interaction of chaos with eventuality. I’m a firm believer that God has a plan for all of us, but that by our exercise of free will we affect our path within that plan. We are the chaos to His eventuality.
Regardless of what subject matter I paint, I feel that I’ve been blessed with a drive and an ability to create, and it is my mission to share that passion with those around me.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
If you feel driven to create, then do it. Don’t doubt your skill, or your subject matter, or your audience, or your lack of gallery representation, or the million other things that we artists tend to doubt. You are given the passion to create art because you were made to create it. Schedule time for it if you have to. To improve from where you are now, you have to do the work, and in order for it to be good, it will be work.
Also, community is important. Nothing is more inspiring than surrounding yourself with the art and fellowship of other artists. Seek out others who create. They are a fantastic resource for both inspiration and camaraderie.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I just wrapped up participating in the Third Annual National Flower Show at Splendora Gardens in Cleveland, Texas. I have plans to participate in several art festivals/art walks around Houston beginning this summer. Anyone interested in following along and keeping up to date on my showings can follow me on Facebook or Instagram on my page @foxfiregalleries. My website is www.foxfiregalleries.com.
I think in all cases it’s essential to support local artists, so attending and purchasing art at local art fairs is so important. I like to take my sons to art shows as a way to help them appreciate the beauty and culture that artists share with the world. We’ve even started their own little gallery in their room of artwork they’ve picked out. If you aren’t at the point of purchasing art yet, sharing and promoting local artists on social media and in person is also a great way to support them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.foxfiregalleries.com
- Email: foxfiregalleries@gmail.com
- Instagram: @foxfiregalleries
- Facebook: @foxfiregalleries
Image Credit:
Allison Fox
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