We were lucky to catch up with Allison Kantor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Allison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

the thing is, I can’t help being creative,,, it really isn’t a choice,, it is an addiction. I frequently refer to a commission as “supporting my habit” oh, and , BTW I do have a “regular job” that I also love. I am an RN working currently part time as an instructor at a med-tech school. I have always pursued both career paths concurrently after obtaining degrees in both,,,(right brain and left brain working in synchrony.) “Popcorn brain,as I like to call it can keep me up at night and occurs everyday. Never at a loss for inspiration. I avoid ruts, always experimenting with new mediums/applications . The process has defined my preferred mediums to be ones that I don’t have to fight with:clay, oil, fabric, as opposed to stone carving, glass blowing , stained glass, wood carving etc.

Allison, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The name of my business is “Random Art” and that is precisely what it is, Random. I create Potheads (copyrighted), Plumps(copyright pending), and Paintings. In the beginning I was into watercolor, now more texture through oil painting, and clay work. I do custom/portrait potheads and pet potheads. Hopefully this article will contain pics for the reader to explain what a pothead or a plump are. usually, when someone asks what I do, I refer them to my website, because it’s hard to describe ……. I am a serious artist, but my art is not serious. Infused with humor, plays on words, cliches, almost always evoking asmile from the viewer.
Having recently moved to the desert, I am consumed with the shapes and variety of cacti. surrealistic depictions of cactus with human characters are intriguing. I am most proud of the children I have raised.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I am cautious about letting instruction get into my head and interrupt my imagination. I prefer to work with little or no reference, avoiding the reality, maybe. (?) What I have seen, is beginners getting indoctrinated and their own “style ” is lost , replaced by the style of an instructor. When teaching others, I try to let them find a way to express themselves without taking away their creativity.

NFTs are BS

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I am still “beating my head on that wall” after many many years. I am a seasoned artist and still finding new direction.

Contact Info:

• Website: randomart.biz
• Other: other than the website, no social media will suck up my time or energy.