Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Allison Mcgree. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Allison, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents (and grandparents) always challenged me to seek out my joy, to pursue what lit me up, and to be comfortable in the unknown steps along the way. My dad said to me, as his dad said to him, “you don’t have to find the entire string; you just need to find the end of one and start pulling.” When you find something that lights you up, listen to yourself. My parents always told me to find what I love to do, and then to find a way to make a living at it. It’s impossible to know the whole picture when you start something but finding the passion at the beginning is an incredible way to start.
I’m not sure I would have been so empowered to fully seek out my passions without their support and love.
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?
Allison McGree is a contemporary western artist, specializing in both Acrylic and Oil Painting as well as Sculpted-Relief. Her style is Expressionistic, often focused on the emotional response the artist has toward the world. She finds inspiration in open and wild spaces. Nature is her greatest teacher, though her studies have also influenced her work.
Allison holds a BA in Fine Arts from Gonzaga University, a BA in K-12 Art Education from Montana State University, and a MA in Holistic Art Programming, Practice, and Outreach with an emphasis on sustainability, community, and public art from Prescott College. Allison received the Art Award upon graduation from Gonzaga University, and she has published two books, Montana’s Rivers Coloring Book and Lessons and a workbook entitled, Be Creative, 30 days dedicated to unlocking your creativity. Allison has been a Featured Artist in The Art Chowder magazine, and GoSolo, she is a member of The Scout Guide Bozeman, she has been a Teaching Artist across the state of Montana, and she is the Professor of Art Methods at Montana State University. In addition to her smaller works, she has also created multiple large Sculpted-Relief Murals including a twenty-foot-long Sculpted-Relief Mural of the Bridger Mountains at Big Sky Dental in Bozeman, Montana, The Sleeping Giant Mountain with Wildlife in Montana City, Montana, and she worked with her friend and mentor Bonnie Wakeman to create a Sculpted-Relief Mural at the Greenough/The Resort at Paws Up Luxury Resort in Greenough, Montana. She is represented by Gallery 287 in Ennis, Montana and by Montana Arts, The Holter Museum of Art, The Altitude Gallery and Home in Big Sky, Montana.
While McGree is grateful for her experiences through education, it is an appreciation of the artist within each of us, a heritage born in creativity, and the art of feeling in color that define her own art and her own heart.
Words from Allison herself:
I find inspiration in open and wild spaces. Nature offers me peace, adventure, perspective, and creativity. As a sixth generation Montanan, who I am is deeply intertwined with the Big Sky State. I grew up alongside the seasons; learning lessons of patience, of sowing seeds, of celebrating long days and bright wildflowers and appreciating winter storms that help to keep our rivers flowing and offer so much fun on the ski hill. Growing up in Montana gave me a sense of profound admiration for wildlife and the land and for a world much larger than myself.
My art and who I am as a person continue to grow alongside and with nature.
Growing up in Helena my parents joined their stories together from Butte (Dad) and Great Falls (Mom). They fell in love on a ski hill (Showdown) and a deep love for the outdoors was fostered in my siblings and I from birth.
Our activities have always been outside. Running, skiing, camping, fishing, biking, hiking, reading, and creating art are activities best done in the mountains. I spent years chasing snow and beautiful rivers for adventure. I have grown to respect these wild places and their power with each passing season. My latest series, Montana’s Rivers, is a combination of all parts of myself. I am a Teaching Artist who believes that we are all better individually and collectively when we allow ourselves to be creative. This is why you will find a Coloring Book with Lessons alongside this series of paintings entitled, Montana’s Rivers Coloring Book and Lessons, The Interconnections, Impact, and Beauty of Montana’s Rivers. The interconnections, impact and beauty of these places makes dreaming about, and then painting rivers, extraordinary. I find that if I am trying to make a big decision, sitting at the bank of a river, and listening to the flow of the water allows me to have the perspective and vision to find my way towards endless answers.
When I create art, I am celebrating and drawing attention to all of the things that light me up and bring me peace and joy. I hope that through my creations, the viewer can feel similarly and grow in their appreciation for wild spaces, big skies, and the interconnectedness of all things.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Art, in all its forms, serves as the universal language and expression of humanity. It allows us to express ourselves, understand, process, and connect. Creativity isn’t just about the final product, no matter how beautiful it may be. It’s about the journey of questioning, trying, failing, trying again, and finding a connection with ourselves and the greater spiritual unknown. While humans seek answers, art teaches us to ask questions and embrace the unknown.
Every human being has the potential to be creative and artistic. Allowing yourself the grace to try something new and creative supports not only artists and creatives but also our entire world. Experimenting with new forms of art helps you appreciate the time and talent invested in each art form. Take classes, buy artwork you love, attend concerts, and immerse yourself in the journey of creating art without focusing solely on the end result. The process, though sometimes frustrating, is a beautiful and fulfilling journey.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Make More Art.
As a contemporary western artist, my mission is deeply personal and rooted in my love for nature and the wild spaces that inspire me. Specializing in Acrylic and Oil Painting as well as Sculpted-Relief, I create art that reflects my emotional responses to the world around me. Nature is my greatest teacher, offering me peace, adventure, and creativity.
Growing up in Montana, I developed a profound admiration for wildlife and the land. My art is a celebration of these wild spaces, big skies, and the interconnectedness of all things. I believe that every person has an artist within them, and I strive to nurture that creativity through my work.
With a background in Fine Arts, Art Education, and Holistic Art Programming, I am committed to sustainability, community, and public art. My goal is to inspire others to explore their own creativity, appreciate the beauty of nature, and find joy in the artistic journey.
Through my art, I hope to bring peace and joy to others, encouraging them to see the world through my eyes and feel a deeper connection to themselves and the natural world. Whether it’s through my paintings, murals, or educational efforts, I aim to foster a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://allisonmcgree.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmcgreefineart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmcgreefineart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmcgree
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWR8xDATHVeLoZpJhoHk0oA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/allison-mcgree-fine-art-bozeman
- Other: https://allison-mcgree.pixels.com/
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