Alison Finch

Biography

I have always drawn for as long as I can remember, so it was inevitable I would go to art college. After a foundation course in Ealing, I trained at Harrow College of Art in Fashion and Textiles and had a long successful career in fashion until the end of 2019.

During a busy working life, travelling, and even living as far afield as China, I’ve dipped in and out of painting over the years, but finally managed to find time to concentrate on botanical art around eight years ago. Since then I’ve taken classes and workshops with different tutors to learn techniques, find inspiration, and my own style, which I am still exploring.

As a textile designer, with my own range of printed scarves, I am always attracted to pattern and colour. I love Spring when all the fresh leaves and buds are unfurling, and then the colour of Autumn when beauty can be found in the seedheads and the decaying plant. I love painting the detail in the natural world, plants, vegetables, feathers, seaweeds, and shells. I also enjoy loose work with pen, ink, and watercolour.

I started exhibiting at the Sherborne art show in Dorset and with the SWSBA group in the west country. I  have  also exhibited with the SBA and sold work, which is always encouraging. I have a portfolio page on the Artists & Illustrators website and was featured in the ‘fresh paint’ article in the September 2019 issue.  At the 2018 RHS botanical art show I exhibited as part of the SWSBA group with our entry “Lost Words From The Junior Oxford Dictionary” for which we received a silver medal.

I have also taken commissions, and as I am no longer working in fashion, I am free to take on more and concentrate on my art.

A range of cards, prints, and scarves are available on my website: www.originaliart.com.