Allison Leigh Smith, originally from Ohio, transitioned from a textile designer to a celebrated full-time artist after a transformative experience with Japanese samurai armors in Phoenix Art Museum. This Ohio-born Columbus College of Art & Design alum's masterpieces blend her love for wildlife, stemming from her volunteering at rehabilitation centers, with inspirations from her textile background and calligraffiti influences. Her intricate artistry, involving up to 200 layers, seeks to forge a profound connection between viewers and the natural world. A recipient of a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts, Smith's works adorn collections at renowned institutions like the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum.