ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hi, I'm Allison!
I've been a maker and crafter for as long as I've been able to hold a paintbrush. I started out in theater production when I was very young, working for the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in various backstage roles and learning how to build sets, props, and costumes.
I continued to learn all that I could at the University of Kansas, where I worked as one of the lead prop artisans for the university's theater department and as a tech hand for the Lied Center of Kansas.
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After university, I bounced around the world a bit.
I spent a year teaching English in South Korea before moving to Kansas City to work as a special effects makeup artist and body painter. I worked at the Edge of Hell haunted house doing special effects, and my work was featured at Kansas City Fashion Week, fashion shows, and various film projects.
In August 2013, I won a special effects makeup contest hosted by Kansas City's Crypticon.
It was during my time living in New Zealand and Australia that I returned to my theater prop and scenic design roots. I created a dragon armor cosplay, which won the Weta Workshop-sponsored costume contest at the Wellington premiere of The Desolation of Smaug.
And with that build, CHASEWORKS STUDIOS was born.
I have continued creating large-scale builds that test the capacity of the Orange County Convention Center's freight elevator.
My over-the-top builds have been recognized multiple years in a row by the Fanexpo annual cosplay contests here in Orlando, winning 3 judges' awards, 1st in Journeyman, and 1st in Masters.
In addition to all that I create, I also have a passion for sharing and teaching!
I volunteer with the Maker Effect Foundation, whose goal is to encourage the community to discover the wonderful feeling of being a creator in life, rather than just a consumer.
I have attended Maker Faire Orlando as a guest cosplayer since 2021, sharing my passion for creating and inspiring others to challenge themselves and try new things without fear!
I also teach classes ranging from elementary to adult learning on topics such as creating faux surfaces, special effects makeup, working with foam, and needle felting!
Check out these fantastic articles from around the web about my work!