Tell us a bit about yourself..My name is Allyson Meier and I was born and raised in Cleveland. I received my education from the University of Dayton, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, with a concentration in painting and printmaking. I recently got engaged to a wonderful man and my favorite person, Carlos, who is a graphic designer and co-owner of the Cleveland clothing brand, ILTHY (I Love the Hype.)
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Currently I work for a printing company in their pre-press department, which basically means I take clients’ orders and prepare them for printing. It’s a lot of numbers and digital files, so not too challanging in the creative department. But I recently finished a certificate program in Graphic Design, so I’m looking to expand my career soon.
Where do you get your creativity from?
I definitely get my artistic ability from my dad - he’s the one who taught me how to draw. Being in school and receiving a formal education in art really helped to refine and nurture the creative process for me. You’re forced to be creative even when you’re not feeling “creative.”
What got you into the craft hobby?
When I started working full time after school, I found that I didn’t have as much energy and time to devote to my painting as I would have liked. The smaller crafts I do (the ink drawings, the cards) allow me to still create and get involved in the artistic process, without as much of a commitment, time-wise and emotionally.
How would you describe your creative process?
My creative process is kind of sporatic. Inspiration will hit at the oddest times - driving in the car, before I go to bed, while I’m supposed to be working! I always try to jot down the idea or sketch it out, so I can return to it when I have the time. Then, it’s just a matter of bringing that idea to life. Some days, I’ll really feel like working, and I’ll paint, draw and do some other craft all in one evening. Other days, I’m not in the mood and not much gets done. I’ve found I really have to listen to what I feel like doing, and act as soon as the urge arrives.
What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?
I would have to say this painting is my most favorite piece I’ve ever made. It was made for my friend Gina, who is a ceramic artist, so we did a trade. She loves the color purple as much as I do, and being artistically minded like me, she gave me free reign. Some paintings I really struggle with, but I remember how organically this one evolved. I’m so happy with the result.
How did you get your business off the ground?
Well I don’t know if I would say it’s off the ground yet! But the business I do have now has come to me mainly through personal connections that have resulted in commission pieces, as well as from online marketing. I sell my work on Etsy, and I am always looking for more opportunities to promote my work. This is the first show I’ll be participating in in a while, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity to showcasing my work to a new audience and meeting some new people.
What are your goals with your business?
As with almost every artist, designer, crafter or creative person, to be able to support myself solely through my work is my main goal. I’m always looking to create more, to make more time for the creative process, and push my work to new levels. I really feel that if there is enough passion, time, and energy put into something, the success will come.
What do you do in your free time?
I find I take interest in all the arts, even if I’m not good at them myself! I like listening to music and going to concerts, watching good movies, reading, both books and magazines. I do spend much more time on the internet than I should, looking at websites and blogs for inspirations. And shopping :)
What’s the message behind your work?
While some artists use their work to make strong statements about issues of importance to them, the message behind my work is more about “art, for art’s sake.” There is so much visual beauty in the world around us. I like to try to recreate some of this beauty through color and pattern, both observed from my surroundings and created from my own mind. I do use text in many of my pieces, which are often my own words and thoughts about things, but they are abstracted so that the words can’t be read, only so that the pattern can observed.
Check out Allyson Meier this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church at 5500 West 54th St. Parma, OH 44129. Show time runs from 10:00am-5:00pm. This eclectic show will feature 65 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com.
Check out Allyson Meier this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church at 5500 West 54th St. Parma, OH 44129. Show time runs from 10:00am-5:00pm. This eclectic show will feature 65 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com.
