Biography:

Jeff Allen is a contemporary realist oil painter whose work focuses primarily on portraits of people and animals. He earned a BFA in Drawing and Painting from the University of Wisconsin in 1994, where his formal training established a strong foundation in traditional techniques and observational skills. Deeply influenced by the Old Masters, Allen approaches painting with an emphasis on craftsmanship, structure, and the disciplined study of form, light, and color.

 

Allen is the owner and director of the Art Academy of Memphis, where he teaches realistic oil painting and works closely with students to develop technical proficiency and visual clarity. His own studio practice is driven by a constant pursuit of technical improvement and refinement, with each painting serving as an opportunity to push accuracy, depth, and expressive subtlety.

 

While grounded in realism, Allen’s portraits often incorporate quiet narrative elements that suggest character, mood, or story beyond surface likeness. His work reflects a belief that strong technique is essential not only for realism, but for creating paintings that invite sustained viewing and deeper interpretation.

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