Allison Torneros is a Bay Area-born, Los Angeles-based artist and designer whose work was featured in our Reader Art section, as well as has attracted the likes of companies such as MTV, HP, North Face, and Skechers. She will be showing off her newest works on wood and paper, which examine notions of self-identity, image, and our ever-growing digital culture of narcissism. Many of the pieces will be based on images and text from actual Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter accounts.

In 2009, Allison won first place at the Cut & Paste SF 2009 Digital Design Tournament and in 2008 was a competitor on MTV's Engine Room, a reality show/digital arts competition.

She notes that her biggest influences are graffiti art, music, fashion, the paranormal, and Art Nouveau. The use of bold texture and rhythm in her work aim to create a psychedelic experience inspired by dreamscapes and the capacity of human consciousness.

Many times she approaches the creation process by letting the paint do the 'talking'--by throwing around paint and other materials onto the canvas in an unpredictable manner and leaving it to dry overnight, she later begins drawing based on what she sees in the random composition.

Face Value opening reception:
August 26th, 2009
Cowboys and Angels Salon & Art Gallery

More on Allison at www.allisontorneros.com