M A R T Y E   A L L E N

Earthenware, Paintings, Drawings

In both her sculptural and her functional work, this clay artist looks to images from Mimbres pottery, Inuit art and ancient cave painting in France and Spain. Martye is drawn to what she terms the “exquisite, funny animals, both real and imagined” portrayed in this work, finding inspiration for her own signature narratives involving bears and ravens. Martye  earned a BFA in painting from Wittenberg University in Ohio and studied ceramics with Warren MacKenzie at the University of Minnesota. Her home and studio are at Lake Nebagamon, WI.

​Artist Statement: ​Clay has been my passion since I first worked with it in college even though I was concentrating on drawing and painting. It came as a surprise to end up as a potter and not a painter but I have spent the last 40 years working with great joy in clay. Many different clays, glazes, firing methods, shapes and surface decorating techniques passed through my muddy fingers in that time. Some years ago however, I began to feel a pull in a different but familiar direction. The desire to get back to my drawing and painting roots became impossible to ignore.

So now my studio time is spent with many different media. Along with throwing a few pots and building sculptures I am drawing with oil pastels and monoprinting with inks and painting with water soluble oil paints. The only common element in all this potential chaos is the animal images that are part of all of my work. Ancient rock art and Inuit art continue to be intensely inspiring. Motivation for all of my work still begins with my desire to keep the pieces alive, fresh, and welcoming. Additionally, given the challenges of the last year, I am hoping to inject some humor into it as well.

Thanks to Eduardo for the invitation to exhibit at Rio Bravo.  Thanks too to Sharon Vangelder for help with some of the titles.

Animal Canoe Martye Allen earthenware clay, 3" x 17" x 3" $225.00 Private Collection

Bear with Me Martye Allen earthenware clay, 8¾" x 9½" x 9½" $375.00 Private Collection

Totem Martye Allen earthenware clay, 8¼" x 7¾" x 6" $225.00

Circle of Friends Martye Allen earthenware clay, 4½" x 9½" x 9½" $325.00 Private Collection

Raven with Squash Blossom Pots Martye Allen earthenware clay, 6¼" x 9" x 6½" $255.00

Turtle with Raven Martye Allen earthenware clay, 10½" x 9" x 6" $325.00

Two Ravens with Squash Blossom Pots Martye Allen earthenware clay, 6" x 12¼" x 7½" $325.00

Animal Bridge Martye Allen earthenware, 2¾" x11¾" x 2½" $295.00

Labs Make the Best Bird Dogs Martye Allen mixed media drawings, 24” x 24” framed $695.00

Ollie Martye Allen oil on panel, 6" x 6" $110.00

Dyango Martye Allen oil on panel, 6" x 6" $110.00

Flo Martye Allen oil on panel, 6”x6” $110.00 Private Collection

Stanley Martye Allen oil on panel, 6”x6” $110.00

The Boy and the Virgin Martye Allen mixed media, 22”x30” $1100.00

His Northern Cousin Martye Allen mixed media, 24x30 Framed $1200.00

Not Just a National Monument Martye Allen mixed media, 20" x 13½" image size, 27" x 20¾" $425.00

Chocolate Chip Martye Allen oil on panel, 6" x 6" $110.00 Private Collection

Does This Painting Make My Nose Look Big? Martye Allen acrylic on canvas, 17" x 23" $595.00

Shanti Martye Allen oil on panel, 6”x6” $110.00 Private Collection

The boys from Saddlestring Martye Allen mixed media.14¾" x 21½" image 24" x 30" framed $1,100,00

Equipoise V Martye Allen mixed media drawings,18” x 22” framed $395.00. Private Collection

When Pez Flies Martye Allen mixed media drawings, 17” x 21” framed. $425.00

Sharon Appears to be Unclear on the Concept of Camouflage Martye Allen mixed media, 16½" x 11¼" image size, 21¼" x 17¼" $425.00

Had She Stayed in Wisconsin Martye Allen oil on canvas 24" x 24" $495.00 Private Collection

La Corvid de la Guadalupe Martye Allen mixed media drawings, 21” x 23” framed $1100.00

Here I am Martye Allen drypoint etching, 4½" x 3½" image size 12" x 9½" framed $95.00

Little Bear Martye Allen drypoint etching, 4" x 7¾" image 9½" x 7½" framed $95.00

Here I am Martye Allen drypoint etching, 4½" x 3½" image size $95.00

Little Bear Martye Allen drypoint etching, 4" x 7¾" image 9½" x 7½" framed $95.00

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