The enduring spirit of the American West—both real and romanticized—is at the center of Maura Allen’s work.
Her creative process begins on location at ranches and rodeos where she is drawn to the power of the silhouette. A photographer for nearly 50 years, Allen chronicles life in the West and has amassed a vast library of original black and white images that serve as her springboard for the stories she paints. In her Abiquiu, New Mexico studio, she weaves in “Old West” elements to infuse a sense the past is present—a bridge between the West today and yesterday.
Allen’s work is featured in numerous museum, corporate and private collections nationwide. Her paintings and glass were showcased by Double D Ranch, the #1 western lifestyle brand in the country, in its top-selling women’s clothing and jewelry collection. She is a 15-year participant in the Sigler Western Museum’s annual Cowgirl Up! exhibition, including the recipient of the Artist’s Choice Award and Museum Purchase Award. Cowboys & Indians Magazine dubbed Allen “the Warhol of the West.”
Allen earned her BA in Classical Studies/Latin from Stanford University. An instructor at Santa Fe Workshops, Allen has received top honors for her images of the American West, including seven Julia Margaret Cameron Awards in a single year. She serves on the board of trustees of the Sigler Western Museum, and on the board of directors of Leica Society International (LSI) and photolucida, a global photography collective.
Vendor:Altamira Fine Art
