"Oregon Caves" Drawing

My studio doesn’t have walls; it has a horizon.

Based in South New Jersey, Allyson Cook (A.Lynne) is an artist, designer, and educator whose work lives at the intersection of backcountry endurance and fine art. For the past nine years, she has taught computer graphics full-time at a public high school—a career that provides the ideal rhythm to pursue her dual passions as a fine artist and outdoor athlete.

Allyson’s practice is rooted in the tradition of en plein air observation. Drawing inspiration from the public lands. Hiking with her supplies is her norm. She primarily works with colored pencil on toned paper, capturing the vibrant, spiritual connection between nature and the human body.
Her process is one of "stream-of-consciousness." By weaving together direct encounters with plants, animals, and landscapes, Allyson relies on her train of thought to combine these elements in unexpected ways. The resulting imagery is sometimes surreal—reflecting dreams or shared memories that have been altered from a literal reality to reveal a deeper, felt truth.