Artist Profile Allyssa Ray Yamaguchi
Allyssa Ray Yamaguchi, Daydreaming in Red No.1, 2024,
Oil on panel, 15″ x 30″ (381 mm x 762 mm).
Artist Statement
Driven by a desire to understand the world through fantastical interpretations, my art reflects the belief that art and fantasy can reveal deeper insights into reality. This vision is expressed in oil paintings characterized by bold color and subtle expressions, where figures evoke a longing for an era beyond their own, mirroring society’s attraction to escapism and idealized fantasy.
Central to my process is monochrome and transparency, using translucent color and mark-making to depict neo-classical muses alongside contemporary individuals. Through these painting techniques, I explore the delicate interplay between perception, color, and reductive painting methods, allowing unfiltered expressions to emerge on the surface.
I aim to create a raw emotional connection with viewers, offering a glimpse into my evolving understanding of both subject and medium. As my practice develops, I remain committed to pushing boundaries, exploring new subjects, and refining my mastery of oil painting.
Artist Biography
Allyssa Ray Yamaguchi grew up in Mission, Texas, USA. and is a Maryland-based painter who earned her Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management from American University in 2021. She has taught as an Adjunct Instructor at American University and Hood College and exhibits her work across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. Her notable exhibitions include “Bloom Where You Are Planted” at Girls Who Paint Gallery, “Her Ideas, Her Stories” at Hal Gomer Gallery, and “Those Spaces Between Us” at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Yamaguchi’s work has been published in EcoTheo Collective and she was interviewed by Canvas Rebel in 2023. A member of the Montgomery Art Association, she has also served as a Grant Review Panelist for the Maryland State Arts Council. Yamaguchi’s art explores escapism and fantasy, blending observation with Neoclassical-inspired techniques. Through her work, she seeks to evoke emotional insight, continuously pushing the boundaries of her craft.