Phoenix in the Sea

Austin Van Allen is an American Artist, Painter, and Art Teacher based in State College, Pennsylvania. His watercolor and ink style is a relatively new direction for his artwork. During the pandemic of 2020, society’s need for control overwhelmed him; this, along with career challenges affected his mental state, and his art. He felt lost and could no longer focus on hyperrealism - the ultimate expression of control. Instead, he started throwing paint onto paper using his hands, brushes, and cups of water. All the thoughts and feelings that he keeps locked in explode out in bursts of brushstrokes, swirls of color, and masses of lines. There is a release of emotion, energy and passion that comes from casting off control, as well as an acceptance and appreciation of the imperfect result.