Carly Allen-Martin orchestrates her brushes in a way that bestows paint with a lyrical qualty. The Dallas-based artist and founder of Allen Martin Studios is known for her vibrant, abstract oil and-pastel panel paintings with an emphasis on bright hues. "Color is so infinite and imperious," she says. "Each painting has a complex narrative that allows the viewer to construct their own interpretation." Allen-Martin, who allocates at least six weeks to working on each piece, trusts her intuition to guide her as she applies multiple layers of paint to canvas, juxtaposing pigments with a "mad scientist flair" - a skill that took her close to 15 years to perfect. The result: a mesmerizing strata of color that commands attention and lures you in, like the tale-spinning Scheherazade. "Putting an unfiltered story out there for the world to see is a liberating, exhilarating experience," she says. "In every piece there's an underlying optimistic tone, but my work isn't naive to the intricacies of every experience. I want my paintings to tell a story as purely and authentically as possible."

I BECAME INTERESTED IN PAINTING BECAUSE...

My father loved to draw. My mother was an interior designer and taught me to experiment with color and design from a young age. I have many early memories of nightly drawing classes at home.

WHAT IS INSPIRING YOU NOW?

Design is gaining mainstream momentum. While Dallas can be very traditional, I love that places like Shinsei Restaurant give the city a modern, glamorous vibe.

FAVORITE DECORATING SOURCES:

Quadrille for beautiful textiles, Mecox for an eclectic mix of old and new and Calypso St. Barth for its fresh energy.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

I am currently finishing several commissions and will soon release a line of limited edition giclée prints on my website.

GREATEST INDULGENCE:

Treating myself to a luxurious spa day at The Joule Dallas hotel.

FAVORITE HOTEL:

The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans. It captures the jazzy, old-world feel of the city.

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