Blueshackinthewoods About Me


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Blueshackinthewoods
About the artist.

My name is Vivian Ogea Allen. I was born in Bossier City, LA. My painting began in Olivehurst, California in 1959. In kindergarten I would paint the beautiful California sunsets with water colors on the easel in the play area of the classroom.
Now, most of my original paintings are oil. I love the flow of the oil paint and the way it blends, which makes my paintings breathe.
My first ambition was to be a ballerina, which never transpired because my destiny was to be a painter.
I live in Haughton, LA with my husband, Kent. I have two grown children. We have three grandchildren who visit us frequently. They love Grandmother and Papa's house.
A few of my favorite painters are Peter Max (his paintings always make me happy), Thomas Gainsborough, whose Blueboy is my all time favorite painting, Degas, and Marie.
My love for music is as diverse as the painters. I am partial to the sound and style of Neal Young. I also like Sara Brightman, Tracy Chapman, ELO, Queen, REM, Bob Dylan, Moody Blues, all of the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Louie Prima & Keely Smith, and many, many others.
My favorite song is The Story by Brandy Carlile.
My favorite actor is Dustin Hoffman. He is the most versatile actor alive. No other actor can compare.
My favorite movie is Ann Of Green Gables.
My God-given talent of painting is inspired by family and friends, strangers, images in clouds, music...just about anything in my daily life.
My husband, Kent, who is the number one supporter of my work, is the kindest and most patient human I have ever known. He is a gentle man who tolerates my loud music when I paint...as long as it is in the studio. Also to inspire me are my children, Paul and Alana, whose comments and cheers of my work do wonders for my ego. And my grandchildren, Dade, Ramey-Bliss and Ryder create an environment of the greatest joy I know. Now, my dear sister Babs, whose persistence led me to get a computer in the first place, is the key reason I am online and having the world at my fingertips. And my very special friend, Marie, who has awed me with her own art and has been a friend and an inspiration to me since we first met in 2001 with her purchase of one of my mermaid paintings. I believe we are kindred spirits. She is a true friend and confidant.

MERMAIDS & FAIRIES
I began painting MERMAIDS in 1999. I was admiring my zinnia garden and noticed that the petals looked like fish scales. I thought I'd paint a fish, but decided a mermaid would be better. I paint the FAIRIES because they are sweet and children love them. My favorite fairy is BABS, who was created just for my sister, Babs.
THE BEATNIKS!
I have always been fascinated with the beatnik era, and I needed an additional direction for my painting ability, therefore, I created my beatniks. Mme V (pronounced Emmy Vee) and Ivan Bongo are musicians at a local coffee shop called the COOL CAT CAFE. They were inspired by the movie 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' with Audrey Hepburn, who happens to be my favorite actress. Mme V and Ivan have 3 children, triplets, Dylan, Ivy and Zeke, and a Siamese cat named Lil, who is an image of my own Siamese cat named Lilith. Lilith is no longer with me...but lives on in my paintings.

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