His canvases are illuminated from within, while creating an overwhelming sense of familiarity, warmth, and innocence in his paintings. His 40 years of experience are delineated in the variety seen in his works.
GREG ALLEN: Master of Luminous Southwestern Landscapes and Architecture
“The stark reality of nature stirs my need to capture a subject. I want the viewer to experience that same emotion, to which I was drawn. The challenge comes in depicting the subject to enough of a likeness that others can share a common feeling, and be drawn in as well.”
Greg Allen is a highly celebrated native New Mexico artist whose breathtaking original oil paintings capture the enchanting forms, mystical light, and rich architectural heritage of the American Southwest. Known for his masterful contemporary impressionistic style, Allen creates canvases that appear illuminated from within, evoking an overwhelming sense of warmth, nostalgia, and profound familiarity.
Deep Roots in the Enchanted Land
Growing up in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Allen’s artistic eye was shaped by childhood family road trips across the state. Long before he ever dreamed of putting paint to canvas, he was absorbing the sprawling, majestic scenery of the desert. A primarily self-taught artist who has worked exclusively in oils for decades, he honed his natural talent with early instruction from Nora Robertson, later developing his aesthetic vision alongside respected painters Mike Johnson and Joe Ireland.
Today, Allen is deeply inspired by the very elements that define the Southwest: its expansive skies, striking florals, and iconic architecture—particularly his highly sought-after New Mexico adobe church paintings.
A Bridge Between Classic and Contemporary
Collectors of Southwestern fine art are immediately drawn to Allen’s unique ability to bridge the past and the present. His work is heavily influenced by the legendary early 1900s art movements of New Mexico, drawing inspiration from the Taos Society of Artists, Los Cinco Pintores, Maynard Dixon, Georgia O’Keeffe, Martin Hennings, and Walter Ufer.
Channeling the spirit of these Western legends, Allen has developed a signature loose, painterly style. While many of his landscape oil paintings boast a distinctively classical composition rooted in tradition, others are infused with a vivid, contemporary flair. This dynamic versatility ensures his work deeply satisfies a wide variety of modern viewers and serious art collectors alike.
Awards, Collections, and National Recognition
With over 40 years of experience at the easel, Greg Allen’s mastery has been widely recognized across the region. He was notably juried into the prestigious Oil Painters of America and has taken home numerous “Best of Show” honors at highly competitive juried exhibits, including the El Paso Art Association’s Arts International and the NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum show.
His highly collectible original Southwestern artwork is featured in prominent permanent collections, including the City of El Paso, the International Museum of Art, and the University Medical Center of El Paso. Residing in El Paso, Texas, since 1989 with his wife Margie, Allen continues to paint every day, driven by a lifelong passion for his craft.
Discover the warm, illuminated artwork of Greg Allen, proudly represented by Acosta Strong Fine Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
