Marissa's Musings: Nailin' It Portland Style With Ally

Wednesday, 13 July 2011 12:08 | Written by Byron

I love fashion scribe Marissa Sullivan. Not only does this local writer/gorgeous gal love a good pair of pumps, but she also loves a great party...and nail salon. Here Miss Marissa shares one of her favorite Portland haunts that has recently has become a lot more...um..."Portland-y."

MARISSA'S MUSINGS: North-Portland-by-way-of-Brooklyn nail artist Ally Picard—aka Nailed By Ally—is freaking talented! The other day I had a simple suggestion to her over email, "why don't we do Portland themed nails?"

A couple hours later the nearly 31-year-old was at my house with her gear and a sketch book full of ideas; Roses, Stump, Blazers, Donuts, Bridges, Food Carts, Coffee, and Bikes. Geez, needless to say, she was inspired.

Before we got started I wanted to ask her a couple of questions about nails, but mostly about Portland, she obliged:

Marissa: What do you think of Portland?
Ally: I love it...the access to nature and quality of life, and I also really love the people, great community and great people surrounding me.

How did you get the idea to be an artist on nails instead of a canvas?
I’ve never actually worked with paint and canvas, I’m a photographer, I just started for fun on my own nails with my girlfriends and it grew from there. When I do my own nails now I'll be like, its good but it still doesn’t match my mood, I’ll have to do them like 3 times before I'm satisfied.

Where do you find inspiration around town?
Honestly most comes from online, nail tumblrs or design tumblrs. When I see something I like, half the time I want to put on a nail the other half I want to photograph it.

What’s your favorite place to hang out/people watch/look for well dressed folks?
Skidmore bluffs, I live on N. Mississippi St. so my porch has become a gathering spot. MRS. At Mississippi Studio is fun, and I like dives like Florida Room. Right now, it's summer and I just want to hang outside.

Do you have a favorite hue or color for summer to work with?
I'm really into blue, a couple new ones I love are called "Victoria's Blue Eye" by Brucci and "For Audry" by China Glaze, it’s a Tiffany Blue.

You’re mobile, what’s your favorite place to work?
The "Tupperware" party kind of theme is fun, someone can host a party, have me do minimum of six or so friends nails then I would probably do hers for free. Having to do nails at a bar can be dark and crowded, it's hard. I set up at my house and you can make appointments. Sometimes I’ll be on my porch all day when its nice. But keep in mind ALL I DO IS PAINT ON YOUR NAILS! I won’t even take your nail polish off. I'm a nail artist not a not a licensed technician, I always try to make that very clear.

To make appointments with Ally you can email her here: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .