ARTISTS STATEMENT “Born in California's Central Valley, my artistic journey began through drawing and photography. I pursued my undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, and later my graduate education at the University of Southern California. Yet it was at UC Berkeley that my love for art flourished. As a young child, I fell in love with art through dance, a vibrant outlet that still allows me to channel my energy and creativity today. As an artist, my mission is to create works that offer healing and solace to those who encounter them. I believe in art's extraordinary power to elevate us beyond the ordinary, encouraging us to appreciate the beauty in the mundane and to recognize the delicate threads of existence. Nature inspires my creativity, particularly its captivating color palettes. On my hikes, I capture fleeting moments through photographs, which inform my paintings with vivid hues and shapes. For me, art is woven into my very identity; I am committed to refining my craft and pushing the boundaries of my imagination, always seeking to inspire and uplift others through my work.” ABOUT East Bay artist Allessio currently lives and works in Piedmont, California, with her three young daughters, husband, and very large red Labrador. She confidently practices both traditional modes of representation as deployed in her still lives, and more contemporary approaches seen in her abstract works.