Allen Carnahan

Allen Carnahan loved art, even when young. But the needs of life made him set art aside and make room for a career with the Fedreal Government, which included serving in the Air Force and civilian service with the Army and the Navy.

Allen found Art again in the 1990's when he took up artistic blacksmithing and blacksmithing. He made ornate household items and tools and hand forged hunting and fishing knives. For his collector quality Bowie knives he made his own Damascus steel. Beginning in 1998, he returned to his first love - painting.

Allen finds the human face a constant source of inspiration. Although he does do still lifes and landscapes, he prefers portraits. Faces are fun and beautiful to him. Allen works in oils, pastels, watercolors, graphite, sauce and acrylics. He has yet to meet a medium he didn't like.

Allen has studied with Phil Metzler, Barbara Perris, Paul McCormick and Margaret Baumgaertner. He has won awards for his work from the Western Maryland Watercolor Society and the Hampshire County Arts Council in 2003. In 2004, he was accepted in the Wills Creek Survey, a national competition sponsored by the Allegany Arts Council . Allen's work can be seen at the 60 North Centre Street Gallery and Rocky Gap Resort in Maryland. In West Virginia his work is on display in the South Branch Inn in Romney. Allen accepts commissions for portraits.