Art in the Café: In the Flow by Marla Allisan

Our April Art in the Northampton Café gallery features works from Marla Allisan!

My artworks, Figures in Flow™, are inspired by a love of dance, making music, swimming and other joyous movements. I tend to start drawing with a gesture in mind, imagining the feeling of a graceful stretch, a dive, a leap or physical representation of a feeling. I draw with white pencil on black paper. I can’t remember how that started or why but, I find that black is more forgiving – the eye presumes what hasn’t been drawn a little more. I also find that it’s much easier to erase and redraw on black paper. 

I will often start a figure and then leave it on my drawing board for days. I might put it on a shelf for longer and start a new one. Sometimes I will take a black drawing pad and draw until I like something – for every piece of art, there are many images that I have decided not to pursue.

I have collected various artisanal and international papers – I try to imagine the figures interacting with the various papers and listen for what blends and amplifies. What fun it is to try this and that until it lands in a way that feels like – ‘yes.’ I often find myself curious to see “who” has shown up on the drawing board.

I’ve been doodling since early childhood and at one point, my youngest sister asked if she could have three of my drawings that were sitting on the family kitchen table. Upon her return to California, she framed the three drawings as a triptych and sent me a photo. I saw my art in a new way. I enjoy engaging in an activity that involves wordless creativity. I started drawing more seriously in 2016 and when the pandemic began, in 2020, I found myself drawing a lot more.

A dollar earned by selling my art puts a smile on my face in a way that surpasses the value. It’s a joy to witness what resonates for others. When purchasers of my art are willing, I enjoy seeing photos of where "the art lands" - where they hung the art– in their home or office.

I sell large originals, medium-sized foam core reproductions, small framed works and greeting cards. I also am receptive to requests for commissioned works that meet individual needs and interests. Feel free to see some of my art at: www.figuresinflow.com or email me at Marlasart@hotmail.com.