Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Allman
Ricky, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always loved to draw, I never stopped drawing and doodling with absolutely no clue what I was doing- no art classes or tutors. When I started college I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I wanted a job with some creativity so I became a graphic design major. After one semester I was so frustrated with the computer and trying to negotiate my ideas with complicated software, I quite graphic design, the only classes I liked were my fine art classes. So I took a huge risk and switched my major. I didn’t have any support or mentors or knew anyone who was an artist outside of, so it was pretty scary, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I did well in my drawing classes, and I finally got brave enough to try painting and became instantly hooked. I transferred from my jr college to MassArt in Boston where I got my BFA and then went to the Rhode Island School of Design for my MFA in painting. Following grad school I moved to Kansas City in 2007 after I was offered a full time position at UMKC. I’ve been a practicing artist and professor ever since.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the two biggest challenges I had were figuring out how to survive and pay for school and also untangle the religious indoctrination I had. I was married with a child by the time I finished college, and I had 2 kids by the time I finished grad school. I had to pay for all my own living expenses and tuition. Holding down multiple part time jobs, food stamps, a severe lack of sleep, and taking out massive student loans allowed me to scrape my way through school. I was also deconstructing the religious indoctrination I grew up with. Going to college and having all of my beliefs challenged began a crisis of faith that lasted all through college and grad school. At times I was so confused and lost about what I believed, I was in freefall. I was anxious about whether I would have any friends or family left if I walked away. I eventually got a job, left my religion and paid back my student loans, but it was a stressful couple of decades.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an artist, primarily a painter. I like to paint large, architectural, abstract, sci-fi landscapes. Lately I’ve been expanding my vision to include animation, sculpture, installation, and music. I’m usually a maximalist, my work is known for being large scale and intricately detailed, with impossible perspective and inventive spaces. I’m obsessed with the future, I’m excited and terrified about the infinite possibilities ahead. I’ve had so many cool opportunities through art- a month long residency in Beijing, exhibited in the first ever Asuncion Paraguay Biennial, and jurying the National College of Arts graduate work in Lahore, Pakistan to name a few.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Kansas City is a great art town, I think a lot of people don’t realize that about KC. I know I didn’t before I came here. We have world class museums, galleries and art organizations that really support artists with grants and studios. We also have excellent restaurants, which is very important. What I like least about KC is the lack of mountains, if we had those KC would be paradise.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickyallman
