Allyssa Ray Yamaguchi, born in 1991 and based in Maryland, is a contemporary oil painter known for her realistic figurative works on panels and canvas. ​Allyssa Yamaguchi holds a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management from American University, Washington, DC, awarded in May 2021. An accomplished artist and educator, she has exhibited widely and served as an Adjunct Instructor at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and American University in Washington, DC.

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Artist Statement:

 

"Driven by a desire to understand the world through fantastical interpretations, my art captures fleeting moments and the tension between presence and escape. Expressed through bold color and subtle expressions, my oil paintings depict figures suspended between eras, reflecting society’s attraction to escapism and idealized fantasy.

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Monochrome and transparency are central to my process. I use translucent color and expressive mark-making to depict neo-classical muses alongside contemporary figures, emphasizing the interplay of perception, color, and reductive techniques. By layering and removing paint, I allow unfiltered expressions to emerge on the surface.

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My painted figures are disconnected from the viewers; instead, they are preoccupied with their own thoughts or actions. As my practice evolves, I continue pushing boundaries, refining my mastery of oil painting, and exploring new subjects to expand my artistic vision."