Alison’s work expresses a deep wonder for the physical world. Sunrises, sunsets, seasons, weather, changes in colour, movement and light, captivate her curiosity.

Her work is a result of observations both conscious and subconscious over years, including patterns and lines made by waves as they sweep across the sand and back out again, marking time, beautiful in their transience. The energy of waves and clouds have been a source of inspiration since she began painting at art college in Exeter in the 1980s/ 90s.

The effects of nature’s cycles and their connection with time, are recorded in her work using pastels, paint and charcoal, often creating many small works on paper outside in different locations.

Each drawing might have layers of the marks left by waves on the sand, the changing shapes of clouds or leaves in the wind. These marks and colours become the starting point for larger paintings in oil or acrylic which take on metaphorical meanings of their own but remain anchored to nature’s influence. Memories of places which have made an impression on her sometimes come to the surface in a surprising way. Areas of light depict a feeling of hope even in her darkest work.

Her current work is taking her to different locations exploring the origins of her love for the natural world with DYCP funding from Arts Council England. She is also involved in a collaborative project with artists from the Walking the Land collective called Deep Encounters. Two pages dedicated to these projects are on her website. 

Alison went to Exeter College of Art and Design from 1987-91 graduating with a BA(hons)in Fine Art and a P.G.C.E from Exeter University in 1993. She taught Art at secondary schools in Oxford and Buckinghamshire before winning the Alexandra Reinhardt Memorial Prize in 2011 which led to a residency and commission with The Art Room, which used art as therapy with young people. In 2017, she assumed the role of Manager at The Art Room for five years while maintaining her painting practice, aspiring to become a full-time artist.

In 2020, Alison received a prize at The Pastel Society Exhibition at the Mall Galleries and is now an associate artist with Unison Pastels. She exhibited at the Mall again in the ING Discerning Eye exhibition. Recently exhibitions include Rona Painting Gallery, Carey Blyth, and a pop-up at Darle and the Bear as well as being regularly selected for the Oxford Art Society Members and non members exhibitions. She was recently awarded the Honorary Members Prize for her painting ‘Space to Reflect’. Alison also serves as an associate artist with OVADA where she recently took part in an Associates group show called Deja Vu.

She currently tutors at Sunningwell School of Art and runs workshops from time to time in various places.