Artist Statement:

Allison Danielsen, an Orlando-based artist, paints mesmerizing landscapes and portraits with acrylics, oils, and graphite. Her passion lies in capturing the radiant beauty of Florida's sunsets, clouds, and water while exploring other surroundings through her travels across the United States and abroad. Through her work, she shares the awe-inspiring colors and tranquility of different places, inviting viewers to enjoy the magic of both familiar and far-off natural wonders.

Allison's Story:

Allison grew up in the Hudson Valley where she enjoyed drawing and painting her entire life. Her love of art was fostered by grandmother, who spent her retirement making beautiful folk art, and her mother, who got her BFA in printmaking. Allison was a participant at the NY State Summer School of Visual Arts and later returned to the program to be a counselor. After high school, she pursued her AA at Dutchess Community College before moving to Washington, DC to attend George Washington University. She majored in Psychology, with a minor in Fine Arts, and took graduate level coursework in Art Therapy.

Inspired by the healing power of art through her own personal struggles and witnessing a family member using art to communicate after a major stroke, she was able to lead art therapy sessions at Georgetown University Hospital psychiatric outpatient program and a geriatric daycare. While these experiences strengthened her belief that art heals, an opportunity in education took her full-time into the business world. She spent the next ten years largely focused on building her career with little time for art.

In 2014, she moved to Orlando for work and learned more about the local art community. While recovering from serious health issue in 2016, she was able to recommit to creating art while pursuing a more balanced life. She has been able to take a number of classes in the greater Orlando area to develop her skills across mediums and subjects. While art remains a part-time passion, Allison is able to create on a more regular basis.

In her journey back to the art world since 2016, she has:

• Exhibited her paintings in several shows across Central Florida and beyond
• Completed a mural at a school in Jacksonville, FL, and collaborated on another at a school in Lake Nona, FL
• Continued to learn and practice, including by creating 100 paintings in 100 days in 2020 and painting en plein air

She is excited to share her work and process.