Allison Renshaw lives and works in Encinitas, California. She was born and raised in Orange County and received a BA degree in economics from Pepperdine University in Malibu. She earned her MFA from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Her work has been exhibited extensively across the country. Notable exhibitions have been the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Oceanside Museum of Art, Lancaster Museum of Art and History, Quint Gallery, Mirus Gallery, and Techne Art Center.

Allison has taught at Mira Costa College, LUX Art Institute, and was a visiting professor at Sierra Nevada College. She has been an artist-in-residence at Anderson Ranch Art Center and Bemis Center for the Contemporary Arts.