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“For centuries, the West has represented beginnings not endings, a place where experimentation and the pioneering spirit—no matter your passion—has enough sky to thrive.” – Maura Allen - Portraying the American West—ranching life, cowboys, cowgirls, Native Americans, and the native flora of the landscape—with rich texture, vibrant color and dynamic patterns to achieve a contemporary, cinematic quality that is Allen's signature painting style. With 35+ years as a black and white photographer and two decades as a painter, Allen brings a unique vision and skill to her work. To begin her creative process, Allen looks directly into the sun, drawing inspiration from a stark silhouette and obscured details. She uses wood, steel, and glass as her surfaces. Allen’s work is included in private, corporate and museum collections nationwide and has been shown in major exhibitions at the Tucson Museum of Art, Old West Museum, Desert Caballeros Western Museum and Pearce Museum. Her painting “Belvidere” was selected as the official Cheyenne Frontier Days 2016 poster image, the first time a cowgirl image will be featured in the rodeo’s century-long history. Her work is featured regularly in top art publications, including a cover feature in Southwest Art Magazine in 2014.