ABOUT THE ARTIST

Allen Wynn is a self-taught Cincinnati, Ohio artist who grew up on his grandfather’s farm in southern Ohio. His life in the rural Midwest didn’t expose him to very much art, but his grandfather would carve fanciful wooden figures and animals, especially fish. This created Allen’s artistic spark and he has experimented in various mediums ever since.

He has attended a number of ceramic workshops in New Mexico and Arizona, as well as, trained at the Creative Craft Alliance and Louis Kalmbach Design Studio, both in Shreveport, Louisiana. His mentor was the late artist, Clyde Connell, whose emotionally honest works continue to inspire Allen. He has had exhibitions throughout the United States and is in public and private collections. This is his fourth solo exhibition at the gallery.

Artist's web site: www.allenwynn.com

IN HIS OWN WORDS

I grew up on a farm in southern Ohio. Strong women have been prominent in my life; the strength and earthiness of them have influenced the development of my technique and art process. Much of my artwork depicts female figures working and doing chores around the farm.

As a self-taught artist, I never took formal art classes in school or college. It wasn’t until I went backpacking through Europe and visiting the great cities and their museums that I realized the way to express my thoughts and emotions is through art. It was years later in my travel across the United States and Europe that I was struck by the universality of my figures.
           
My art career started while living in Louisiana. With all the diversity of cultures, from the bayous to the cities, the women from these areas inspired me. Art is a way for me and the viewer to connect to memories and feelings, from the past to the present. I think it’s incumbent on me to help viewers picture thoughts, whether good or bad, that help to create the emotions I love to express in my craft.

My work is constructed of steel with a fiberglass mixture and painted with automobile paints. I hope that through my work viewers find a meaningful link to roads traveled and people met.