Meet Christina Allen | Corn Crib Studio & Publishing, and Allen’s Heirloom Homestead

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I didn’t choose an artistic life, it chose me. I started college in pharmacy, switched briefly into engineering, considered medical illustration, but finally decided to pursue a career in art, because I missed making things. I knew if I stayed in the science fields there would be no time for my artwork. I had been painting and drawing my whole life, with no push from anyone; It’s just the way I understand the world. When I was making my decision, a smart 96 year-old woman told me “(I) might never be rich, but (I’ll) sleep well at night.” She was right.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Most of the past four decades I have worked in watercolors. I saw the British watercolors in Harvard’s collection and loved the rich layers of color, unlike the pastel-like watercolors that were fashionable here in the US. So the paintings I’ve done for these past years were deeply rich layered watercolors, trying to push the medium to reveal it’s luminosity to it’s fullest. We live on a small farm and I raise chickens, sheep, and rare Jersey Buff turkeys. I “saw,” in my mind, a children’s book about our rare turkeys. I decided to write and illustrate a story about the turkeys to help save the critically endangered breed. My book won the National Indie Award for Excellence in non-fiction. I learned I’m not a writer. But after my award, lots of authors are always submitting manuscripts to me. So I can choose the best of the best to illustrate new stories. I started my own micro-publishing company “Corn Crib Studio & Publishing.” I have 13 books I have now illustrated and have won nine national awards.

Since Covid, life changed for many. I decided to back off the book publishing for a spell and I started working on Oils-on-Paper paintings. I think I am now doing some of the best work of my life. I am in the process of writing a book about my paintings, since I have the capability to publish. I am doing some very large paintings in oil. When I first got out of college, I worked for a Mural Artist assisting in the mosaics for the St. Louis Missouri Cathedral. I feel like my new large oil paintings are sort of coming back full circle.

I didn’t get much support from my family for my artwork. I put myself through college and graduate school. I didn’t know my own biological father at all until a few years ago. (It turns out I have half-brothers and sisters who are artists…but that’s a different story!) I strongly believe in creating a strong and healthy community. I started the first chapter of Cycling Without Age in Maryland as part of that commitment.

I use my art to lift me up and keep me centered. Creating is the opposite of destroying. Enjoy the process. I can’t say my life has always been easy. But it has been full and satisfying.…and I sleep well at nights.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a country mouse, not a city mouse. I also don’t love the automobile culture. So I would give my friend a farm tour of our farm, with a meals cooked with all our own organic home-grown foods. Then perhaps we’d go bicycling to Historic St. Mary’s City, a 17th century historic village site of Maryland’s first settlement. We might stop at the waterfront and walk the beach. If the weather permitted it, we could go for a row in a 14’ Wineglass Wherry boat that I built. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. I pack plenty of good food and iced tea for a picnic, and (usually my husband and I), row some of the many little inlets and waterways. We might take the metro into DC for a day trip to the National Gallery of Art or the Smithsonian Museums. Or we might take a day trip to Ginter Gardens in Richmond, VA. Ginter Gardens has a huge conservatory and extensive exquisite gardens. If my visitor liked cycling, we could take some longer trips on a couple of the Rail Trails in the area. In season, we might take the ferry boat to Smith Island, a cute tiny island in the Potomac River, that has almost no cars (it’s so small) but has great seafood, bike rentals, an ice cream shop, and a nostalgic town feeling. On a First Friday, I would bring her to Leonardtown, our county seat. I have artwork in the North End Gallery, and they have a reception for guests every First Friday. There is often music in the Square, activities by the new waterfront park, and all the stores have special events scheduled. If she is a fiber-friend, we could spin yarn and knit in the evening and chat about projects we’re creating… and be happy for a little rest after busy days.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I also believe we stand on the backs of many before us and those around us. I must acknowledge my greatest support and encouragement throughout my 43 years (to date) of being a professional artist is my husband. Even through depressed times, times when no one seemed to be interested in my work, or the work I was creating wasn’t in vogue, or when our own financial times were strained, he knew how important it was for me to do my artwork and did everything he could to give me the space and encouragement to continue.

I also am moved when someone whom I don’t know connects with my art. That seems so real and honest. Most of my work is done in solitude. That is not the case for other types of artwork like performing arts. I only know if it works when others affirm it when it is finished. Having said this, I also do not make art for money, fame, or accolades. I have learned long ago that I just have to love the process of creating. It doesn’t matter how long it takes on the journey if you love the making.

I believe in a strong connected and healthy community. My husband and I work for a number of non-profit organizations and efforts to that end. If you don’t have family, create a strong local community. Even a simple act like our weekly coffee shop “discussions” with invited friends and local organizers to help “solve all the world’s problems!”

Website: www.CornCribStudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corncribstudio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CornCS