Marla Allison
Award-winning painter Marla Allison discusses her evolution from Laguna construction sites to the elite galleries of the Santa Fe Indian Market. Discover how she writes her own lyrics through a unique visual language and large-scale murals that anchor her legacy in the landscape.
In this episode, Lili reconnects with Santa Fe native Marla Allison, catching up with her at the Indian Market after her recent move to Healdsburg, California. Marla reflects on her artistic evolution, from her early days learning oil painting through Bob Ross videos to finding her unique creative voice by stitching a model’s leg to a chair in a moment of frustration during figure drawing. She credits her formal training at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and her diverse experience—including eight years of grueling construction work on the Laguna Reservation—for giving her the competitive edge and technical resilience needed to thrive as a professional female artist.
The conversation highlights Marla’s success at the 102nd Santa Fe Indian Market, where she recently won awards in both the abstract painting and mixed-media categories. She discusses the process of elimination that led her from sculpture and welding back to her calling as a painter, emphasizing that an artist must write your own lyrics to rise above the noise of a competitive market. The episode concludes with a look at her current large-scale projects, including a massive 105-foot mural in Santa Rosa’s art alley, reinforcing her commitment to a lifelong journey of radical intention and creative stewardship.
