Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Paul
Hi Alison, what do galleries and collectors need to know about your work?
My technique is unusual and unique. I use customized palette knives and create with a mixture of oils and cold wax. This technique allows for a very vibrant and energetic surface on each painting loaded with intricacies, layers, and fascinating little areas of color variations, but at a distance becomes abstracted and enticing. “When viewing my work at 18 inches there is intensity, and at 18 feet, there is serenity.” My work is difficult to photograph, but I’ve figured out a way to share these textural details through close-up photographs that are in its own special section on my new website (alisonhaleypaul.com). There’s also a section on inspiration, photographs of my work in situ, along with my curriculum vitae, biography, and publications. Also, be sure to check my Instagram @alisonhaleypaul for a fun and interesting perspective of an artist’s life and work.
How do you incorporate your communication skills with your work?
Hmmm, it’s not that I don’t like talking about my work…I do like answering questions about my technique and inspiration, but I do find it difficult to get to the crux of my intent and to talk about the nuances of my work. I’m not very vocal about my art or my process, but it’s layered and steeped in meaning and purpose. I find the easiest way to deal with this is to make believe I’m having a conversation and dictate rather than try to write what I need to say. So to all you other artists who are struggling to put words on paper rather than paint to canvas, try the dictation button.
Tell us about how you handle adaptability and problem solving?
Artists often face unexpected challenges in their work, but I find these challenges pop up about every five minutes. Every blob by the palette knife creates a new problem/situation to solve. Like many artists, I step back and analyze every section of every piece to ensure that the paint does what it’s supposed to do. Paint is my language, my song, and my poetry. I’ve worked in many fields, but have been a professional, productive, collected artist for over a decade now, and I’m rather pleased at my fluency and dedication to my art. Of course, there are days that I feel like I’m conjugating verbs in high school French class and things aren’t flowing very well. I have my tricks and shortcuts, I paint upside down on occasion and photograph my work in progress to double check every element, and in a worst-case scenario I will literally put the painting in the corner and start something else. There’s always a way.
How do you define success?
I feel quite successful and very fortunate. My work has been collected worldwide and I’m beautifully represented throughout California, and am looking to expand into other states. I’ve worked like a dervish this past decade. Solo shows, group shows, and even museum shows have been abundant, gallery and collector response has been fabulous, and I feel I am mid-stride in my career. I am very happy with my progress and results as I look forward to a new year, new work, and new opportunities. It’s good to feel that I’m at full throttle, going full speed ahead, it’s exciting and inspiring to be able to do what I do. Success to me is not black and white, it’s the quiet feeling of satisfaction of a job well done. Lucky me! I get to create and have fun along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alisonhaleypaul.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisonhaleypaul/
