Artist Spotlight: Allison Lash
Allison leading a hamsa clay workshop at Rosewood Zaragosa Neighborhood Center, funded by the City of Austin.
Each month, we highlight one of the talented, creative individuals in our reuse community. This month, it’s multimedia artist and educator, Allison Lash!
Allison grew up in NYC, surrounded by the arts from a young age. Read more below about her artistic journey, and how she incorporates reuse into her work!
When did you start making visual art?
I started making art as far back as when I was probably 3 years old, when I used to hate drawing outside the lines of my coloring books. I used to make books with my drawings and loved printing with potatoes! I grew up having access to amazing museums and creative experiences in NYC. I was lucky my dad worked in the arts and would bring home cool supplies to experiment with. I went to art school to earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts, where I met amazing people and had so many opportunities to experiment and explore, making me a multi-disciplinary artist. I draw, paint, photograph (digital and analog, with years of darkroom experience), make prints (marbling, silkscreen, lithography, linocut, etching), make paper and books, work in collage and textiles, create and produce video, sculptures (plaster, clay, paper, cardboard, wood, metal pouring), throw and hand-build clay etc. It’s wonderful having all of these skills and experiences, but sometimes overwhelms me where to begin. I’m considered a multipotentialite.
Which aspect of creating is your favorite?
Discovering and experimenting with materials and techniques, and teaching others the same. During the height of the pandemic, I created an online, weekly art making group with senior citizens isolated at home, funded by an Equity Mini-Grant from the City of Austin. Working with my senior group, we were able to maintain a safe virtual bubble where we checked in, shared stories, and made art. It was a wonderful experiment, and something we all looked forward to weekly.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration usually stems from emotions I’m currently feeling, nature, art history, and nostalgic experiences. I’m drawn to working in the style of Wabi Sabi, embracing imperfections and going with the flow to see where it takes me. I’m inspired by visiting museums, galleries and studio visits of other artists, and cultures from around the world. Because of Covid, I love “visiting” other artist’s work online. I’m also inspired by reflecting on my past work and accomplishments, and displaying my work at home to generate new ideas.
What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?
In person! Instagram can help with making connections, when the algorithm works. I also love finding ways to connect with others by sending out cold emails, designing and organizing events on Eventbrite and in Facebook groups. I apply for and receive Cultural Art grants from the City of Austin, and lead hands-on free, public artmaking workshops. Before the pandemic, I led hands-on workshops in person at multiple Austin Public Libraries and with companies as team building activities, and even one at ACR!
How does reuse play a part in your creativity?
I love perusing ACR and garage/estate sales, many materials I find inspire my art making process. Vintage items are made of much better quality, plus I love hand-made pieces- there’s so many stories behind them. I love brainstorming with myself to creatively problem solve my art process with reused items. I come from an immigrant, thrifty family, and we were always trying to save money. Reuse is so much more affordable than buying new!
What compels you to donate to ACR?
All of the millions of pounds of wasted items thrown away.
Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?
Currently, my favorite finds are vintage embroidered textiles. I am working on a series of unique cyanotype photogram blue prints using vintage embroidered textiles as my substrates. Cyanotype is a combination of printmaking with photography, using a photosensitive liquid that can be exposed and printed by the sun. I am revisiting skills and techniques I learned many years ago in art school where I earned my BFA and MFA and geeking out on technical photography.
Where can we find out more about your work?
On Instagram @AwesomeArtAustin or on Facebook! I also have a website, though it isn’t updated as frequently.
I was a teacher in K-12 Visual Arts in NYC Public Schools, trained in the Reggio Emilia philosophy of learning through play, and work with AISD schools as a Fine Art Service Provider. AISD Schools and teachers who want to work with me can find me on the Mindpop Matchmaker website. My cyanotype cards, prints on paper and textiles are for sale and I am available for private workshops and team building activities (any visual art discipline) on location. Please email me at AwesomeArtAustin@gmail.com for more information, I work with people of all ages and abilities.
