Cascades in Oregon
ceramics Mara Allison ceramics Mara Allison

Cascades in Oregon

This piece was completed right before the pandemic hit and was sheltered-in-place for 6 months before it was delivered to its special owner, my sister.

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The Best Gift
sculptures Mara Allison sculptures Mara Allison

The Best Gift

In a world where gift-giving is a tradition, how do you give a loved one, who wants for nothing, something meaningful? It begs the question, “Why even bother giving a gift?” I’m not an expert on humans but here are my thoughts. 

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Lola
mixed media Mara Allison mixed media Mara Allison

Lola

"Lola," means grandma in the Filipino language. Grandmothers are a special breed. If you were fortunate enough to grow up with an amazing one, you definitely know what I mean.

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A Family Portrait
acrylics Mara Allison acrylics Mara Allison

A Family Portrait

One of the things that my husband and I enjoy doing together is going to estate sales. In the beginning, it felt morbid going through someone else’s things. I would often wonder whether the owner of the house died or is still alive but has transitioned to a nursing facility. A home that contained a family’s history has suddenly become a thrift store. 50% off on Saturdays and 75% off on Sundays.

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An Unconventional Family
pastels Mara Allison pastels Mara Allison

An Unconventional Family

My mom once wrote that she was the wayward mother with exemplary kids. She didn't mean that we were geniuses, she simply meant that while her parenting style was controversial, we somehow turned out well. She was the weirdest mother bird indeed.

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Spouses
mixed media Mara Allison mixed media Mara Allison

Spouses

Marriage is a strange thing. My first one ended in a hot mess. Too young, too immature, too selfish, too prideful, you name it, we had it. Back then, I knew all the things we were doing wrong, but we couldn't figure out how to do anything right. So after more than a decade, I left... bruised to the core and heavily chipped on the shoulders.

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A Journey of Faith
Mara Allison Mara Allison

A Journey of Faith

I stopped making art after 2006. The only time I picked up a marker was to use a highlighter for a book that I was reading. In 2008, I began my adventure as a special education teacher.

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