Enjoy the ethereal portfolio of artist Allison Inglesby, whose complex layered works tell visual stories. See more by visiting her website.
I attended college at Drexel University and received a degree in Design & Merchandising with an emphasis on graphic design and photography. After graduation, I held marketing and production jobs in the printing and publishing industries before resuming design as a focus.
My passion is connecting with people, visually and through experiences. In my career, I have leveraged this by bringing brands to life through imagery and storytelling. I’m currently working on this in my personal life as I identify and bring my own art brand into reality.
When finding inspiration, I gravitate to imagery from my travels and recent adventures, which is usually when I am thinking and reflecting. It is a subconscious process that informs the parallel between my imagery and its underlying theme/story. Sometimes it isn’t until afterwards that I can see the connection between my thoughts and the imagery I have created.
Ironically, Covid proved to be a very cathartic time for me. After my job was eliminated, I was able to take time and space to evaluate my life and what fulfills me. Though I had been working as an art director and photo editor previously, this was the first time that I was able to utilize my craft purely for self-expression. I found creating art was an outlet that helped capture my feelings as storytelling imagery.
I love how my work engages people’s imaginations which leads to collaborative conversation. I have my own personal stories behind each work and the thoughts it evokes for me. When others view my work, I find they like to talk about what they see in the art—visions that appear to them. Many times, they see something completely different than I do.
It is rare to see artwork hanging on public walls that is thought-provoking for kids and teens. You see it in book illustration, but not so much in public spaces. I think young people deserve to have thought-provoking artwork in public settings that is targeted to them. I would like to build this into my mission as an artist.
In today’s stressful world, many kids have difficulty asserting themselves and being heard and seen. I would love to be able to use my artwork to engage them. I want to help them listen to their inner voice and learn to speak up and express themselves. This is an important skill to learn at a young age.
I’d like to think my work allows them to access their imaginations, gives them a sense of calm, and allows them to know their feelings are understood and supported.
Allison Inglesby invites you to follow her on Instagram.