Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Allen-Martin.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born an artist and traveling has been an important part of my process. In 2002, I graduated high school early and moved to Florence, Italy to attend Santa Reperata International School of Art. Once I got a taste of the art world and its’ history, there was no turning back. I went on to study at The European Academy of Art in Germany and Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo. In 2007, I graduated from Texas Christian University with a BFA in painting and a minor in Art History.
My work has been collected privately and publicly within the United States and internationally. Public collections of my work include Texas Christian University, BBVA Compass Bank, and Texas Oncology Hospital. I have also been fortunate to have my work published in The Dallas Morning News, LUXE editorials, FortWorth Magazine, Food Network Magazine, 360West, and the Houston Chronicle.
I am represented by Laura Rathe Fine Art in Dallas and Houston and Artspace111 Gallery in Fort Worth. I am proud to call Dallas home.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think there is such a thing as a smooth road to success. Struggles will inevitably be part of the process.
The first struggle I dealt with was graduating college during the 2008 financial crisis. I decided to take a job teaching art to be able to pay my rent. My painting time was limited to evenings and weekends after full days of teaching and commuting to and from work.
Advice from a dear college professor pushed me to keep creating. He said “If you quit painting, you’re no longer a painter.” His advice has stuck with me and still influences me today. Every day I make the decision to be a painter.
The most constant struggle that plagues creatives is self-doubt. It is guaranteed you will be rejected in this industry. You really have to be resilient and relentless to stay in the game.
Please tell us more about your art.
I am a contemporary artist focused on large scale mixed media painting. The resilience of humanity and nature is the constant muse behind my work.
I am best known for my use of color and expressionistic style that invoke an energy of optimism into my work. Each of my paintings represents a new beginning. I rarely start a piece with an end in mind. The idea is to focus on the process and stay open to the work coming through me.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
As an artist, I love the quality of museums and galleries we have in our city. I am excited about the creativity that is being integrated into the design and function of how we live. The concepts being implemented in Deep Ellum and Oak Cliff are exciting to me!
I love Klyde Warren Park because it is a park for everyone. I am interested in seeing Dallas continue to create spaces that are not just for certain demographics or socio-economic groups. Using design, art, and nature to create spaces that challenge our thinking and open us up to new ideas is important and lends itself to a next generation of creative thinkers.
I am excited to see how Dallas continues to grow in the next decade!
Contact Info:
- Address: Laura Rathe Fine Art
1130 Dragon Street, Suite 130 Dallas, TX 75207 - Website: www.carlyallenmartin.com www.laurarathe.com
- Phone: 214-761-2000
- Email: carlyallenmartin@gmail.com janice@laurarathe.com
Image Credit:
Emery Davis Photography
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