Today we’d like to introduce you to Mara Allison.
Hi Mara, 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?
My journey in art began as a young child growing up in the Philippines. My mother was an artist and nurtured my interest in the visual arts. I thrived during my summer vacations attending all kinds of workshops. However, when I started a family in my early 20s, art disappeared from my life.
In 2002, I finally mustered the courage to leave an abusive marriage. Raising 2 young boys and running a business had me on the road to burnout. I was an emotional wreck and everybody knew it except for me. Seeing a totally disengaged person in me, my mom dragged me to attend a ceramic workshop that same year. I’m so glad she did.
It was then that ceramics became part of my healing journey. My mind found rest with the rhythmic motions of pushing, prodding and pressing clay. I became enthralled with the process of turning mud into something beautiful. My encounter with clay showed me a very different perspective for my own life – that my past did not define me and that I had the ability to transform my life and shape my future.
My life shifted again in 2006 when I moved to the United States with my children. This time I had no family support and I had to raise my sons completely on my own. Art took a back seat again as I navigated the life of a single mom.
It took over 10 years for me to find my way back to ceramics – this time, in a season of peace and heightened creativity. I am now married to an incredible husband and my sons have grown up to be amazing young men.
Joy, pain, happiness, and loss have always been part of life and have their place in my artistic process. Every emotion is yearning to have a voice, an expression that gives each piece a story to tell.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To say that it was difficult would be an enormous understatement. When I moved back to the US, I had to start from the very bottom. Working all the time to make ends meet and parenting got to be so overwhelming. Many times I struggled and gasped for air.
It took a long time to finally see myself as an artist as I’ve struggled with my identity. I mainly saw myself as a single mom. Yet through it all, God was a constant companion. He sent people to love on me and my sons. Looking back can be painful at times, but it was in those trials that my children and I grew to become resilient individuals.
While I would have liked to have done things differently if I had the chance, I realize now that I wouldn’t be the person I am now if I didn’t go through all those struggles. I’m a better wife, mother and artist because of all those experiences.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in ceramics and 2D artwork. As an artist, I strive to create pieces that evoke conversations and emotions because that’s what makes us human.
I try to create balance when it comes to my work. I would have seasons where my pieces would be inspired from my own experiences and interests. And then I would have seasons where my work is inspired by other people’s stories.
Each commissioned piece is carefully made and inspired by my clients’ stories. It starts with building a relationship with them. And in order to serve them in the best possible way, I need to be able to get to know them and see their personalities so that I can understand their needs, values and dreams.
In return, they will learn and understand my process on how I compose the piece to construct their story. It is my desire that they connect intimately to the art that I create for them.
Your home is an amazing part of your life. The design of your space reflects what’s important to you. I encourage my clients to choose things that enhance their home in a most significant and thought provoking way and to choose pieces that hold special meaning to them and their family.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My grandma was such a remarkable woman and a trailblazer in her time. I remember spending many summer nights in her home. She showered me with fascinating stories of her childhood and how her family survived WWII. I would fall asleep to the sounds of her expressive yet soothing gentle voice.
Growing up, I knew that my own home was starved for love, yet whenever I was with my grandma, I always felt that I was loved and valued. I miss her everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: maraallison.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mara.y.allison/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mara.Y.Allison
- Other: https://rumble.com/user/MaraAllison
Image Credits
Andy Bally
Miguel Berris
Mara Allison
Abby Fisher
