Meet Gigi Allen | Multidisciplinary Artist & Designer

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

Hi Gigi, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’m always in pursuit of blending my work and personal life as much as possible. I know it sounds so cliche, but when you work in something you love, it doesn’t feel like a task. I don’t think of my work as ‘just a job’ because so much of our energy and time is spent working. I am lucky to say that I make an income doing something that I find fulfilling and fun. I definitely go through phases where I pursue a lot of work at once, and when I’m in that flow state, it can be very energizing. Being creative requires a certain amount of mental freedom — ideation and brainstorming come naturally when there isn’t a constant pressing deadline or to-do list to tackle. Of course this balance ebbs and flows and there are plenty of times where the balance isn’t perfect, but overall I’m learning that the more I intentionally curate how I’m spending my time, the more space I have mentally to be creative.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a multidisciplinary artist, informed by natural environments and immersive experiences. My approach spans across art, space, and design. I curate compelling moments to delight the senses. Art and design are instinct for me, and they’ve always been a big part of the way I communicate and absorb information. I chose to pursue a degree in Interior Design because I found it to be a satisfying combination of function and design. I became fascinated with the strategic and storytelling aspect of spatial design — how the ethos of a project makes its way through every touchpoint and becomes an overall experience. I was, however, craving the more hands-on aspects of being an artist and a maker. I began to make more time for my art practice alongside my full time job as a designer, working on charcoal drawings, painting, and eventually picking up printmaking.

I slowly began to take my ‘side hustle’ more seriously, participating in markets and local events until I made the decision to try working for myself full time. I think the coolest thing about where I am today professionally is that it wasn’t totally calculated — which is weird, because I’m a very precise and organized person. But I’ve been getting more comfortable with the idea that the more I create authentically, the more opportunities I get to explore and tackle.

I’m really excited to continue pursuing opportunities to learn and expand the breadth of my work. I spent a few weeks in Oaxaca last summer, the highlight of which was a printmaking workshop with an artist program called Pocoapoco. Getting out of my usual workflow and headspace was a good reminder that in order to continue growing, it’s important to broaden horizons, learning from and working with others collaboratively along the way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If it’s summer, a good chunk of the itinerary would consist of beach days. I live in Hermosa Beach, so heading straight down to the water is easy (and never gets old). Anytime of year I love taking visitors on a long bike ride up The Strand towards Venice, stopping at breweries on the way. I also try to show people the city from the vantage points of local hikes — Los Leones in Malibu or Portuguese Bend in Palos Verdes, followed by sunset drinks overlooking the ocean at Terranea Resort. If we have a full day to head on a longer hike, Angeles National Forest is a great option. I also mix in some museum days — hit up classics like The Getty or LACMA, and contemporary galleries like The Broad or The Hole. I’m always looking for an excuse to visit Republique for my favorite weekend brunch, Homestate for comfort food tacos, or Felix for a dreamy pasta dinner. If we’re lucky, we catch a good show at Gold Diggers or Lodge Room.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I spent my first six years in LA working at a design and strategy firm called Rapt Studio, and the people I met there have been the foundation of my creative network. I had just graduated when I moved and started the job, so the mentorship I received not only professionally, but personally, was invaluable and is something I will always cherish. I’ve maintained multiple relationships with coworkers from the studio that have become mentors and long lasting friends. These are the people that have given me the confidence to work for myself — referring me for projects, helping me edit contracts, and providing advice along the way.

Website: www.gigi-allen.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisella-gigi-allen/

Image Credits
Tim Regas, Tim Hirschmann, Madeline Tolle, Curt Pittman