We are excited to welcome Dan Allen as a new tenant at Space 4 Art! Since moving into Studio 41 in March, Dan has quickly become an integral part of our creative community. Read on to learn about Dan’s personal and artistic journey in life.

Dan Allen has been drawing since before he learned to write. Drawing has always been a part of his life, and he excelled at image-making from a young age. Over the years, his passion for art grew, leading him into a life and multifaceted career in art.

Although Dan has a Bachelor's degree in painting and printmaking from San Diego State University, he has experimented with a wide range of creative expressions through the years: ink, clay, paint, metal, digital media, and conceptual art, to name a few. His current art practice, however, is centered around acrylic painting and collage.

Dan creates thought-provoking pieces that explore found systems and ready structures, highlighting processes of creation and questioning the outcomes of our built environment. His work is a unique blend of technique and exploration, offering viewers a fresh perspective on the world around us.

“Shock and Awe,” 2020, Acrylic on Panel. PC Dan Allen.

When asked about the most rewarding and challenging aspects of his art practice, Dan said he values the meditative nature of creating. “The moment when chance and technique come together with the right materials is a truly fulfilling experience.” On the flip side, he added that “the drudgery of the process—such as setup, cleanup, and the business side of art— is the most challenging.”

Even when Dan is not making his own art, art is still a big part of his life. For one thing, he invests his time teaching art to adults and young adults, and loves being able to engage in his students’ art practices, which automatically makes art a central part of his daily life. He is further immersed in art simply by being around his wife, who is a dancer. “Supporting each other in our independent work has always been a part of our relationship. Artists travel a rare path. I’m lucky to have a partner who understands through direct experience, and can model best practices in success and point out pitfalls.” Outside of teaching and creating, Dan enjoys biking, snorkeling, playing chess, and spending time with his family and two cats.

Recently, Dan participated in Space 4 Art’s annual art exhibition, which was held at Mesa Gallery and curated by Alessandra Moctezuma. Titled "Creating in Community,” the exhibition featured Dan’s paintings from 2020, which were created during a very solitary period. The show was significant for Dan as it marked his first contribution to the Space 4 Art community and allowed him to connect with his new fellow resident artists, some of whom he hadn’t even met yet. “I was excited to see everyone’s pieces, and I was also struck by the range of work that was presented,” Dan said. “I felt the impact of community and the shared support that artists give to each other. This show energized me. I’m grateful to be a part of Space 4 Art.”

We are thrilled to have Dan at Space 4 Art, and look forward to all the ways he’ll continue to contribute to this vibrant collective. Welcome, Dan!

To learn more about Dan, you can follow him on Instagram or check out his website.

Dan Allen: A Journey of Creativity and Community