I’m Alyssa Petrofes, an artist based in rural Western Australia, originally from the USA.
I’ve always been drawn to the small details, the kind that make something (or someone) feel real. What started with pencil portraits has grown into a mix of hyper-realistic and expressive work, using coloured pencil, oils and acrylic to explore both precision and freedom.
The ocean has become a big part of my inspiration, not just for its beauty, but for what it represents: complex beauty, depth, change, and resilience. A lot of my work is shaped by my own experiences, especially navigating mental health, where art has been a constant way to process and find meaning.
Whether I’m creating something highly detailed or more abstract, my goal will remain simple: to make work that people connect with, hold onto, and see a part of themselves in.