Austin Van Allen

Artist. Teacher.

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. This raw, unrestrained way of painting allowed him to more fully appreciate the beauty of watercolor paint: colors bleed together, water runs and pools in unique places, blooms happen - he learned how to celebrate all of it.

Austin loves color; he likes it loud, vibrant, and stunning. Liquid watercolor became his medium of choice because of its ability to provide the intense colors that he loves. The ink that is drawn over top of the paint is only meant to highlight the beauty of the watercolor and provide a little depth and texture in the artwork. Even though the ink adds an element of control to his art, it is always reactionary and subservient to the freedom expressed by the watercolor paint. When Austin paints his art, 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. These works of art explore the dichotomy of first relinquishing control (the painting) and then bringing in complete control (the ink work).

Since starting to create art in this watercolor and ink style during the spring of 2021, Austin’s  artwork has been featured at the Rhoneymeade gallery in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania (2021) for a solo exhibition entitled “An Evening of Art”, a solo exhibition at Otto’s Pub and Brewery in State College, Pa (2022), a solo exhibition at CurioCool Gallery in Zelienople, Pa entitled “Elemental” (2022), and a solo show at the Bellefonte Art Museum entitled “Prismatic” (2023). Select artworks have been featured locally at Bellefonte Art Museum, the State College Framing Company, 3 Dots Downtown in State College, as well as internationally in Milan, Italy, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, Monaco, Virtual Artists Gallery based in London, England, and at the Monat Gallery in Madrid, Spain. His artwork has been published in the Centre Arts Magazine, Bellefonte Bold Magazine, Strathmore Art’s official Instagram page, and in a documentary published by the Power of Positivity. Austin has future exhibitions planned at Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks in Milheim, Pa.

Austin’s art studio is located in his home in State College, Pennsylvania where he lives with his wife, Emma, and their dog, Zola.  To see more of Austin’s artwork, follow him on Instagram @a.j.v._art, or visit his website at www.ajvart.com.