Today we’d like to introduce you to Margo Alleman.
Margo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My career began in architecture, but it didn’t end there. I walked away from a decade long path to paint rocks, weld, and build things with my hands. After earning my BS in Architecture with a minor in Fine Art from LSU, I worked in the field of architecture for 5 years, across many sectors and firm sizes. Although I enjoyed the design challenges and constant learning that came with architecture, I was gradually drawn toward work that felt more tactile and expressive. In 2020, I decided to retire from my career in architecture and began devoting much of my time to painting rocks and desert landscapes. Painting provides me with an incredible sense of calm, and I love the challenge of recreating natural beauty on canvas and paper. I began doing commissioned paintings and freelance graphic design, while also teaching kid’s art classes and doing small gig work to help pay the bills.
My desire to learn didn’t end when I stepped away from architecture. I became interested in metalworking, and started taking furniture design and welding classes at Orange Coast College. Welding is an incredible rush. There’s something thrilling about making sparks fly and focusing in as layers of molten metal form a clean, solid bead. It feels powerful to fuse metal together, to take separate pieces and transform them into something strong, functional, and new. My time at Orange Coast College led me to meet Joy Fire, a blacksmith and welder who was originally my intro welding instructor. We connected over the projects we were working on and soon became collaborators. When she mentioned she was looking for someone to share her shop space in Santa Ana, I was thrilled at the opportunity. Gaining access to her tools and equipment gave me the space to keep learning and pushing my work forward, and I’ve had the privilege of learning blacksmithing from her as well. Adding blacksmithing to the mix has brought a whole new dimension to my metal practice. Learning to move hot metal with intention has introduced texture, rhythm, and depth to my projects that wasn’t possible before. It’s challenged me to think differently about form and process, and has deepened my connection to the materials I work with.
Some might say an artist should focus on one medium in order to become proficient, but I have found myself to be more of a generalist. I tend to follow my curiosity, and that approach has led me to explore a wide range of materials and methods in my art practice. I’ve been lucky to work on projects that combine art and community engagement, which feels like the sweet spot for me. Whether I’m working on a commission, designing graphics for a community organization, or teaching kids to express themselves, I’m drawn to projects that allow me to engage more directly with my community. It’s been a winding path, and I don’t expect that to change any time soon. I will continue to follow my interests and look for ways to make work that is meaningful and grounded in community. I look forward to seeing how the mediums I have explored will continue to influence one another, and bring me closer to the creative, intentional life I want to build.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Forging my own path as an artist after many years working in architecture firms was certainly not easy. It’s scary to leave behind the stability of a career to start a business with inconsistent income, even if the work is incredibly fulfilling. I had invested many years into the path of architecture. In addition to a 5 year degree and many years working in the field, I was almost halfway through the licensure process, having studied countless hours and taken 3 of 7 licensing exams. Stepping away from everything I had worked for meant letting go of a clear professional identity, and I had to learn to reapply my skills to the work I wanted to pursue.
Freelancing comes with its own set of challenges. It has been important for me to strike a balance between projects that I create for others, and those that I create for my own growth and exploration. The hardest thing I have found is learning to value my time and work appropriately, especially when providing price estimates for what I make for others. Learning how to advocate for myself, and figuring out how to run a business while still making space for artistic exploration is an ongoing challenge that I will continue to navigate as my practice evolves.
All of the challenges I faced have pushed me to be more resourceful, more focused, and more connected to the kind of work I care about. Over time, I have found clients and collaborators who value what I bring to the table, and I’ve learned how to shape a creative practice that feels both sustainable and meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist and designer with a passion for creating meaningful work across many mediums, including painting, illustration, graphic design, blacksmithing, and welding. In my two dimensional design work, I specialize in graphics, illustration, and community centered projects. I love helping people tell their stories visually, whether that’s through a logo that really captures the spirit of their business, a map that highlights cultural history, or a campaign that brings awareness to a local issue. I bring the same thoughtfulness and attention to detail to every project, no matter the scale.
My background in architecture sets me apart and affords me many skills that have benefited me greatly through my artistic practice. My experience in the field has taught me how to coordinate complex projects, communicate ideas clearly through visuals, and move fluidly between concept and execution. I learned to be deeply collaborative, and I believe the best work comes from listening closely and building something that reflects a shared vision with the people it’s made for. The years I spent building models and developing spatial concepts trained me to think visually and structurally, skills that translate naturally to my three dimensional work. I love making furniture and useful objects that are meant to be used and experienced. I have a particular interest in creating lighting, using the light source itself as a material to shape shadows and add depth.
I am particularly proud of the community centered projects I’ve had the opportunity to be part of. I’ve worked on a few collaborations with Santa Ana Active Streets, an organization in Santa Ana, CA that promotes active transportation and community engagement through walking and biking. One of the most meaningful projects involved designing a cultural map highlighting the city’s historic and cultural landmarks. I worked closely with the team to research and visually represent points of interest that reflected the diverse stories and heritage of Santa Ana. The final map was used in community events, including a guided “Walk and Talk” featuring local Black leaders, and served as a tool to encourage residents to explore their neighborhoods on foot and by bike. Another community based project I am currently working on is a public art installation in Plaza Calle Cuatro in downtown Santa Ana. I received a grant from the City of Santa Ana to fabricate a Free Little Art Gallery (https://freelittleartgalleries.art/) in the plaza adjacent to the monthly art walks. The gallery will open on October 4th, 2025 at the Halloween art walk, and include space for art making that participants can include in the gallery if they wish. Working on community projects has been a rewarding experience, blending my design skills with my passion for public space, accessibility, and community connection.
At the end of the day, I want my work to feel grounded, joyful, and useful. I care a lot about how things are made, and even more about how they make people feel.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has played a huge role in my life and work. I was fortunate to attend college, receive an education in architecture, and graduate with minimal debt, something I don’t take for granted. I am even more fortunate to be able to pursue a path that isn’t directly related to my education. I feel incredibly lucky to be on a creative path that isn’t limited by my degree, and to have the freedom to explore different forms of creative expression.
I’m also deeply grateful for the support of my wife, whose steady income has allowed me the space and time to pursue my passion without the constant pressure of financial survival. That kind of support is rare, and it’s been essential to building a sustainable creative practice.
Another major stroke of luck was connecting with Joy Fire. She has not only included me in the rental of her shop space, but she also passes me projects that don’t fit her schedule and has brought me in as a collaborator on her larger projects. I have learned so much about blacksmithing and metalwork from her, and working alongside her has given me so much experience that would have otherwise taken me much longer to achieve. I am incredibly grateful for the boost Joy has given to my path and I hope to pass along this support to others as I become more experienced.
Looking back, my path hasn’t followed a straight line, but each turn has helped shape a creative life that feels both fulfilling and rooted in purpose. I’ve grown through the risks I’ve taken, the people who’ve supported me, and the work that has challenged and inspired me. Whether I’m making something by hand, designing for a community cause, or experimenting with a new material, I’m always looking for ways to connect, learn, and create with care. I’m excited to keep following my curiosity, deepening my practice, and continuing to build work that reflects the values and communities I care most about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.margoallemanart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margodrawsrocks/
