Allison Moyers
Allison Moyers is an oil painter and multi-disciplinary artist whose large-scale oil paintings incorporate resin and other materials. Her artistic journey began in Paris, where she studied French, art history, design, and fine arts. This European experience allowed her to travel and continue her education, culminating in a Fine Arts degree with honors from ESAD de Valenciennes in 2015. After completing her studies, she and her husband returned to the United States, and she now lives and works in Phoenix, Arizona.
Artist Statement
My work explores the subjects of stardom, vanity, and excess within society, with an emphasis on women and the feminine. The stylized and romanticized elements in my work correspond to the methodical use of color, expressing human emotions through their psychological representations.
While studying in Europe and exploring museums and galleries, I found myself drawn to the portrayal of the female figure. I was captivated by the idealized nature of women depicted in ancient art and its fascinating transition through modernist years to a more realistic representation of femininity. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of the female artist’s perspective. I sought to connect the rich history of Western art to my experience as a woman, reflecting the beauty and strength of the feminine, unbounded by contemporary responses to the male gaze. I began to question desire and the human experience, which longs for the unattainable and leads to a broken reality. The narrative of feminine vulnerability in a culture obsessed with the superficial became a way for me to express my emotions and create a world where I am both the artist and the muse.
Much of my inspiration comes from navigating the world with the awareness of my womanhood. Essentially, I am the women in my paintings, experiencing their emotions in a dreamlike environment where my feelings are accepted. I am always embarking on a voyage in connection to my characters, expressing what lies within me—what is hidden and forbidden, and what I would never be able to touch in reality.
What is your first memory of creating?
The first creative experience that really impacted me was an assignment in first grade to write and illustrate a book. I became so obsessed with the project that I made five more books in the following years. I think that was when I realized that drawing and storytelling were my passion.
What is your relationship to your medium? What draws you to it?
I first started painting in oil during my last year of art school in 2015. My grandmother had been encouraging me to try it for years, but I was skeptical because of the upkeep; it seemed like a high-maintenance medium. However, when I started to paint with oils, I fell in love. Oil is the most playful of painting mediums; it’s malleable and forgiving, sculptural and texturizing.
What is the main thing you hope your audience takes away from your art?
I hope people can connect emotionally with my paintings and see themselves in my work, sharing in the beauty of loss and heartbreak, as well as the sense of vulnerability that comes with being human.
Tell us about a challenge you overcame last year.
Last year was my first year as an artist and a mom. Balancing my art practice while taking on the new role of motherhood presented challenges that evolved with each stage of my child’s development. This experience has pushed me to be more thoughtful with my time and taught me to embrace living in the moment.
What is your main goal or resolution this year in terms of your art practice?
My main goal this year is to paint slowly. I want to return to experiencing art in a way that nourishes my mind and soul. I envision 2024 as a year dedicated to the pure love of creating and artistic exploration.
