Pandemic, Tearing Papers & Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone: An Interview With Allison Belolan

Allison Belolan

New York-based artist Allison Belolan creates captivating mixed media images. Executed in a limited yet vibrant color palette, she builds delicate patterns which at first glance, seem like abstractions but rapidly begin to act as bridges between emotions and the environment.

SAH: How did you arrive at this material, did always work with collages?

AB: I have not always worked with collage, but I have always been comfortable with paper.  The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I am drawn to paper because it doesn’t feel as precious as a canvas.  A blank piece of paper is less intimidating than a blank canvas...or feels less precious.  

In college, I studied Printmaking, and perhaps my favorite part of the entire process is tearing the paper. I can still remember how excited I would be to fold and tear paper before printing, and taking the time to get it just right.  Or the feel and sound of using the tear bar. So good!

During the pandemic, collage became my medium of choice in part because of the immediacy of the process and accessibility of the materials.  I have two elementary-aged children, and from March 2020 to April 2021 they were in remote learning. 

While they were working or in class on the computer, I started making small collages at the kitchen table in part to help pass the time, and in part as a form of therapy.  With collage it was easy to stop and take breaks when the kids needed help, and I was able to get ideas out quickly.  It helped me to feel productive during a very difficult time.  Ripping or tearing papers was also very therapeutic for me, the same for trying different arrangements of a piece.  I find it calming. 

I do love collage and paper and will continue working with them going forward.  This summer I set a goal for myself to experiment with different surfaces and sizes.  It’s good to get out of your comfort zone.  So I’ll find new ways of using paper and collage in my work.  

Star Over Sun. Allison Belolan.

SAH: How do you go about transforming an idea into a physical piece?

AB: Many of my works are meditations on emotions and the environment.  Often times work is inspired by a walk and the emotional responses I have during the walk.  The idea is the beginning thought that I have when I start.  When I am ready to make art I begin with a set of colors that I am drawn to.  Currently, I am interested in a black, gold, and white color story.  I like to work with a limited color palette in order to draw attention to things like texture, shape, and edges.  

Next, I will sort through my papers and scraps looking for pieces that catch my attention and either benign placing and arranging them as is or tear them into smaller pieces that fit with what is already arranged.  The arrangements themselves often resemble a landscape, often mountainous, with differing amounts of layers and transparencies.

As I arrange the pieces I will make changes and re-arrange until something feels right, then fix it with glue and keep going.  Some pieces come together quickly and others take more time.   Sometimes the idea sticks with me throughout the entire process, other times the materials and act of making the art take over as the “idea.”

SAH: What kind of impact do you hope that your work has?

AB: My biggest hope is that people will stop and look, take a moment to observe my work, and notice things. Notice the subtle textures, the variations in color, or the differences in edges.  I want my work to encourage people to slow down and notice.  

Allioson Belolan. Sunrise. 

SAH: What does freedom mean when it comes to art?

This is an interesting question for sure.  You are asking this at a time in America, and the world, when what it means to be Free, and Freedom, is being re-thought and re-learned.  It is a very interesting word, and I wonder what your intent behind asking this question is.   My initial response is also interesting, and maybe a distinctly American one?

So I guess one answer is that freedom in making art means being comfortable and confidant with being who you are as an artist and doing what you do as an artist. 

Not worrying about what other people think about it, not worrying about it selling, even not worrying about it if is “good.”  Just making art and being in the moment making art.  

SAH: What is more important for art, the idea or the execution?

AB: This question reminds me of an interview question during the hiring process at my last district.  I was asked, as were all candidates for visual arts teaching positions in the district, to put the three words in order of importance.  The words were creativity, composition, and craftsmanship.  There was no right answer...well that’s isn’t exactly right. 

There were answers we were looking for that we preferred, but there wasn’t an actual “wrong” answer.  Were more interested in how someone answered the question, what their thinking was behind it.  For me, I saw the works as like a triangle with Creativity on top, and composition and craftsmanship next to each other on the bottom. 

As I’ve grown and gained experience as a teacher, I have come to see it differently.
Now I see that they are all related, so I’d position the words in a circle because their connections and importance are not clearly defined.  One flows to another and back and forth and across and over.  And all three, creativity, composition, and craftsmanship, can all be learned.

It is similar for me here.  The entire process of making art is what is important...from ideation through execution and then to completion. It’s not possible to section out the two and make them separate.  The idea and the execution are part of the entire process, almost like they are in a dialog with each other.  Sometimes the idea takes the lead, sometimes the execution takes the lead.  Sometimes, the execution leads to a change in the idea or an entirely new idea.

Allison Belolan. Misty Mountain Sunrise. 

SAH: Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?

AB: When I was very young, like 10, I would say that I wanted to be a CEO, but of what was never clear.  But if I look at what I am doing today, I am a CEO!  Of my own art business! That probably wasn’t exactly what I was thinking as a 10-year-old, but here I am. 
Art became something I knew I wanted to make a career out of when I was in high school, but, again, I didn’t know exactly what kind of career that would or could be.  

After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design I worked as a jewelry designer, thinking that was what I wanted to do.  Then I learned more about that industry and decided it wasn’t for me, even though I did love the technical drawings and design. 

Then I decided that teaching was what I wanted to do, got a Masters degree in Art Education, and taught for almost 10 years.  Just this past year I decided that teaching wasn’t for me anymore, and now I am focusing on my own artwork and art business.  

SAH: What is your main mode for selling original work now?

AB: At the moment my main avenues for selling work art online through my website and Instagram, and in boutiques like Collective 131 in Saratoga NY, and The Pop Up Shop in Brooklyn NY. 

My art business is fairly new, as I made a serious commitment to it just his past March when I decided to leave teaching full time.  Right now I am learning where my people are, building my support network, and figuring out how I want to move forward with my business.  I think it is important to have multiple avenues for selling work but to be selective and thoughtful about what those avenues are. 

Ultimately I’d like to have a combination of sales through my website and Instragram, consignments with brick and mortar home goods stores, and solid relationships with a few galleries.  

It’s been valuable learning what works for me, what I enjoy, and what I am not interested in doing for my business.  For example, I enjoy doing art/craft markets, but I can’t, and don’t want, to be doing a market every weekend.  Many markets don’t make sense for my work; my people aren’t at there or my price points don’t fit, etc.  Markets that do work well for me are juried or curated, focus on handmade goods, or are solely art-focused.   

Allison Belolan. Haze Moon.

SAH: What are you watching, listening to or following that you would recommend?

AB: I’ve had a playlist on heavy repeat in my studio for a while now that I am just about ready to switch up.  It’s been a lot of Caroline Rose, St. Vincent, Lizzo, and Pheobe Bridgers with some Amy Winehouse and Lady Gago thrown in there.  

There isn’t much watching happening these days.  By the time there is time to sit and watch something I’m exhausted and would rather read myself to sleep!  Right now I’m reading a historical biography about the life of Emma Hamilton.  I’m still hunting for my next book.  

As for art books, there are some great books that I would recommend for artists to read.  The Complete Smartist Guide by Ekaterina Popova and Alicia Puig and Show Your Art by Gita Joshi are great books for learning about how to get out there and show or sell your work.  Mind Your Business by llana Griffo, while not tailored for artists, is a great book for thinking about and organizing your business plan. 

Paying attention to the business side of art is so important, and I imagine many other artists didn’t get very much training or information in that department.  I know I didn’t. 

Another great book about creativity and ideas is The Rise by Sarah Lewis.  It is beautifully written and so inspiring. I’ve already read it a few times!

And one last book that I discovered while teaching and think every artist should read is Beautiful Stuff by Catherine Topal.  It is a book about an art curriculum for kids that is grounded in finding and using stuff - old jewelry, coins, rocks, things found and stuffed in pockets.  It is a great reminder of the importance of playing and noticing, two things that are so important to making art.  

As for people, I am following, I have a handful of friends, fellow artists, and local hiker photographers that I enjoy following.  Some great Insta accounts to follow for art inspiration or information are @colorstoriesbystacia for color inspiration, @visionaryartcollective and @artshesays for contemporary art, and @terrifroham and @whatartschooldidntteachyou for great advice and help with the business side of being an artist.  

Allison Belolan.

SAH: Any last tips for aspiring artists

AB: Find your community.  Build a network of other artists and like-minded people to be your support, your teacher, and your fans.  It’s really hard to be an artist without a community.  There are so many places to look from local groups to online communities. 

Your community doesn’t need to be big by any means, it can be a small group of two or three people you talk with regularly.  It just needs to be people who support you and you support.  People who help you grow and you help grow in return.

Go out and find your community!