Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Belolan.

Hi Allison, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
A summer art class in high school on Long Island sparked what would become a lifelong artistic journey. This initial spark led to studying Printmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design, where I graduated in 2001.

The years following RISD were formative ones, split between designing jewelry and teaching art to elementary students after completing a master’s in Art Education at the School of Visual Arts. In 2019, I decided to focus entirely on my artistic practice, working from my home studio in Mamaroneck, New York.

The transition coincided with unprecedented times – as I began participating in group shows, the pandemic emerged. Yet this period proved transformative, drawing me toward collage work that balanced creative exploration with practical constraints. This evolution culminated in my first solo exhibition in 2021.

My creative process revolves around constant observation, documentation, and learning. Each piece begins with careful attention to surroundings, involving sketching and collecting materials that ultimately inform and inspire the work. To deepen my practice, I try to participate in annual artist residencies, most recently at The Golden Apple Residency in the summer of 2024, where focused creation and reflection become possible.

I am active at The Other Art Fair and The Bruce Museum Fine Arts Festival, engaging directly with collectors and art enthusiasts. Teaching workshops to adults through the Yellow Studio has become another rewarding avenue, allowing for meaningful exchanges within the artistic community.

Looking forward, plans include expanding my home studio to incorporate a printing press. This development would bridge early printmaking foundations with current artistic explorations, opening new possibilities for creative expression.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has certainly had its challenges. Transitioning from teaching to focusing on my art was a significant shift. I had to relearn how to make my own art, which I hadn’t done since college. Finding my artistic voice has been a long, winding process.

One of the biggest struggles was the pressure I put on myself to be constantly visible in the art world. I felt compelled to apply to every opportunity, thinking that if I wasn’t constantly showing my work, I wasn’t being seen as a serious artist. This led to a frantic pace that wasn’t sustainable or fulfilling. Looking back, I wish I had given myself permission to slow down and focus more on finding my authentic voice as an artist.

I also grappled with defining myself as an artist. I felt pressure to choose a specific label – am I a painter? A landscape artist? – and stick to it. But I found myself getting restless when confined to one medium or style. I’ve learned that my creative practice thrives on following my curiosity and ideas, even if that means working across different mediums and themes.

Now, I understand the value of creating work that genuinely excites me, and then finding the right place to show it or the right audience to appreciate it. While collage remains an important part of my practice, I no longer limit myself to that medium. I’m learning to trust my instincts and create in ways that best suit each idea.

Building a supportive community of fellow artists and friends has been crucial in navigating these obstacles. These connections have helped me realize that it’s okay to forge my path and create my own space in the art world rather than trying to fit into pre-existing molds.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is driven by curiosity and a deep engagement with the environments I encounter. As an investigation-focused multidisciplinary artist, I create pieces that invite viewers to notice, observe, and reflect upon the world around them. My practice begins with extensive documentation of my surroundings through various means – photographs, frottage, foraging, sketching, and note-taking.

This process of exploration and documentation is central to my work. For example, during my Yellow Studio Residency at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in 2023, I employed a wide range of techniques to capture the essence of the environment. This project, “WPR Documentation,” showcases the diversity of my approach – from rubbings and sketches to cyanotype experiments and photographs. Each method offers a unique perspective on the landscape, contributing to a rich, multifaceted representation of the area.

Similarly, my travels in Iceland in 2023 resulted in “50 Views of Iceland,” a series of fifty 3×3 inch prints derived from sketches made during my journey. This project demonstrates how I translate direct observations into finished artworks, distilling the essence of a vast landscape into intimate, focused pieces.

While at the Golden Apple Residency in Maine, I became fascinated with the local flora. The photograph “ME Foraged (Land)” captures the plants and materials I collected while exploring the area. This image documents my process and serves as a visual record of the local ecosystem, highlighting the beauty in often overlooked natural elements.

This combination of careful observation, documentation, and creative transformation is a process that celebrates the joy of discovery and invites viewers to share in that experience. My goal is to create art that draws people in, encourages them to slow down, look closer, and perhaps see their surroundings in a new way, awakening a sense of wonder for the often-overlooked details of our world.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?

The most important lesson I’ve learned is finding and trusting my artistic voice. This journey has taught me to listen to my inner creative impulses rather than being swayed by external expectations. I’ve realized that authentic art comes from a place of personal truth and curiosity, not from trying to please others or fit into a predetermined mold.

Early on, I worried about what would sell, what curators might prefer, or what galleries wanted to show. However, I’ve learned that this approach often leads to work that feels forced or disconnected from my true interests. Instead, I’ve discovered the value of following my creative instincts and allowing ideas to develop organically.

This doesn’t mean completely ignoring the art world or audience but rather finding a balance where my artistic integrity remains intact. I’ve come to understand that my unique perspective and approach make my work valuable and meaningful. By staying true to my vision and allowing my practice to evolve naturally, I create art that resonates more deeply – both with me and with viewers who connect with its authenticity.

Another vital lesson has been the importance of finding and building a supportive community. As I’ve navigated my artistic path, I’ve discovered the value of connecting with fellow artists and creatives who understand and champion my work. Communities like CritLab and The Yellow Studio have been instrumental in building friendships, support, and ongoing learning opportunities. These groups offer a space for constructive feedback, idea-sharing, and mutual encouragement.
I’m also grateful to be part of The Mother Creatrix Collective, a group of talented women artists who support each other’s creative journeys. This collective has been a source of inspiration and solidarity, especially in balancing artistic pursuits with the demands of motherhood.
These networks have become invaluable sources of inspiration, feedback, and encouragement. They’ve helped me grow personally and professionally, providing sounding boards for ideas and support systems during challenges. Cultivating these relationships and being part of these communities has been instrumental in sustaining my practice and fostering my growth as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: allisonbelolan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonbelolanart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-belolan-0a4a89207/

Image Credits
Please credit my headshot to Angela Strassheim https://www.angelastrassheim.com/reflections Please credit the installed view of 50 Views of Iceland to credit Angela Strassheim, photographed at The Yellow Studio Gallery, https://www.angelastrassheim.com/reflections