As young as five, Alana drew. She loved to draw horses and Abe Lincoln and Santa Claus and anyone who offered to sit. At age nine, she took second place in a national art contest sponsored by Kellogg.
Graduating with a degree in mathematics, Alana spent her professional career as a Capital Project Manager directing and managing the design, construction, and renovation of buildings for Harvard University and the University of Texas. When time permitted Alana would relax doing pastel portraits and pen and ink sketches. In 2007, taking a much-needed vacation, she joined a group of plein air artists who were in Amalfi, Italy. The trip was a turning point. It awakened her love of art and a desire to focus full time on painting. So, in 2008 she retired and began her second career as a professional artist.
I met Alana at the opening of the Fine Art's League of Cary Annual Juried Show, where her work, "Reaching for Safe Harbor" took first place! As we share a love of sailing, I knew I would enjoy speaking with her about her work and artistic journey.
Alana's artist recommendations:
Anders Zorn
Joaquin Sorolla
Ivan Aivazovsky
Richard Schmid
