Em Allen is a Minneapolis based illustrator whose work is largely inspired by her lasting childhood love of adventure stories. Fantasy, fashion and fiction all combine to create illustrated cocktails of decadence, romance, and yearning. You can view her portfolio at allenem.com.

Having multiple characters automatically gives the viewer a story to think about that they are not already part of.

I’m fascinated by the reflective nature of environments—how a space shapes and, in turn, is shaped the person who lives in it.

[They are i]nspired by a very effective technique for dealing with anxiety I was taught long ago, which is to let the sensation envelope you without judgement.

I want my art to have the same sense of mystery and wonder that a great story does.

I want to invite the viewer to my work through feelings of coziness, relaxation, and comfort.

I hope to intrigue the viewer enough to think about the story. I hope to excite their interest and give them a little rush.

I knew I wanted to continue with my art, but I hadn’t found the place where my art belonged.

I'm always chasing tensions in the stories I tell, and media that articulates that beautiful tension proves a profound and reliable guide.

I’m most inspired by narrative work, strong sense of place, and finding the fantastic things inherent in everyday life.