Allyson Smith

My small-scale paintings are layered constructions, windows or mirrors that ride the tension between looking outward and looking inward. Woven grids, translucent fabrics, and layered washes of color form spaces that are both structured and open, framing shifting states of light and feeling.

I make intimately scaled abstract paintings of inner worlds. Raw canvas is stained with acrylic paint and comes together in simply structured lattice-woven grids and layered window-frame compositions that vibrate with color. Each painting is a portal or reflecting pool exploring the delicate interplay between looking outward and feeling inward. I use sculptural elements to add physical depth and tactility to the work. The draped canvas, exposed seams, and stitching echo the physicality of experience and remembrance. Honoring the rawness of our inside-out existence. At their core, these works are an invitation to pause and observe – to explore both our external surroundings and internal landscapes. By inviting viewers to observe, reflect, and engage with the work, I aim to create a space that honors the beauty of simply noticing and the richness of being human.