Featured artist
Alison Nicholls
NY, USA
- Sell original works
- Sell reproduced works
- Take commissions/assignments
- Offer workshops/classes
- Sell reproduced works
- Take commissions/assignments
- Offer workshops/classes
Specialty Categories
Painting/Drawing - Figurative/People
Maasai Men
11x14” Original Sold. Limited edition giclée on watercolor paper $120 |
Maasai Mamas
Acrylic on canvas 11x14” Original Sold. Limited edition giclée on watercolor paper $120 |
Maasai Woman
Acrylic on canvas 11x14” Original $500 Limited edition giclée on watercolor paper $120 |
Painting/Drawing - Wildlife
Spotted Hyena: Night Scent
Acrylic on canvas 20x16” Original: $1800 |
Elephants in Mopane
Acrylic on canvas 10x10” Original: $350 |
Hide of an Elephant
Acrylic on canvas 24x20” Original: $2700 |
Elephants in Brown
Watercolor on paper 11x14” Original $300 Limited edition giclée on watercolor paper $120 |
Spotted Hyena Watching Impala
Watercolor on paper 11x14” Original $300 Limited edition giclée on watercolor paper $120 |
Drinking Impala
Watercolor on paper 8x10” Original $200 Limited edition giclée on watercolor paper $70 |
Artist Statement
I am an artist inspired by Africa. For several years I lived in Botswana and Zimbabwe and I return frequently to sketch in the field, work with conservation organizations and lead Art Safaris for Africa Geographic.
Sketching from life is a vital part of my artistic process. I work in pencil first then add watercolor. I don’t have an easel or a chair because I usually stand when sketching people, or need to be in a vehicle when sketching wildlife. Decisions about light and composition must be made quickly, as the person or animal I am sketching may get up and move away at any time. In this respect field sketching is a life drawing class in the purest sense of the phrase! In addition to being great fun, it allows me to meet fascinating people, has given me a great understanding of wildlife anatomy and behavior, and is the best way I know to improve my artistic skills.
My studio paintings consist of multiple layers of transparent color which I use to both obscure and reveal the subject of each piece. Building up the layers allows me to create effects of light, dust and heat, but I use color to convey a mood or a time of day, not to mimic the colors of nature. I eliminate unnecessary detail from my compositions and often use a limited palette of colors to create a tranquil atmosphere, in which people and animals go about their daily lives, undisturbed and unaware of the viewer. Areas of ‘quiet space’ have become prominent in my work, although this was not a conscious decision, but developed gradually as I spent time under the huge skies of the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. These quiet spaces balance the areas of detail and leave room for interpretation and imagination.
My Conservation Sketching Expeditions allow me to visit African conservation organizations, sketch on site and learn in detail about conservation issues. I use the resulting sketches and paintings to raise awareness and funds for the organizations’ field work. These visits also inspired the creation of a growing body of conservation and environmental-themed paintings based on issues I have encountered in the field. It can be a real challenge to depict complex issues like human-wildlife conflict in a painting, but it has given my art layers of meaning, as well as layers of color. I support African conservation organizations by making a donation from the sale of every original painting and limited edition reproduction.
Bio
I am a Signature member of Artists For Conservation and the Society of Animal Artists, a member of the Explorers Club and an artist member of the Salmagundi Club. My art has been widely exhibited, including at the Botswana Mission to the United Nations in Manhattan, and the US Department of State used my art to promote the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking initiative. I lead Art Safaris in South Africa for Africa Geographic and frequently lecture about art, Africa, wildlife and conservation. I have lectured at the Explorers Club, in schools, for private organizations and for volunteers at the Bronx and Central Park Zoos. I am English by birth but live in Port Chester, New York with my husband, Nigel, and German Shepherd dog, Chase.
I am an artist inspired by Africa. For several years I lived in Botswana and Zimbabwe and I return frequently to sketch in the field, work with conservation organizations and lead Art Safaris for Africa Geographic.
Sketching from life is a vital part of my artistic process. I work in pencil first then add watercolor. I don’t have an easel or a chair because I usually stand when sketching people, or need to be in a vehicle when sketching wildlife. Decisions about light and composition must be made quickly, as the person or animal I am sketching may get up and move away at any time. In this respect field sketching is a life drawing class in the purest sense of the phrase! In addition to being great fun, it allows me to meet fascinating people, has given me a great understanding of wildlife anatomy and behavior, and is the best way I know to improve my artistic skills.
My studio paintings consist of multiple layers of transparent color which I use to both obscure and reveal the subject of each piece. Building up the layers allows me to create effects of light, dust and heat, but I use color to convey a mood or a time of day, not to mimic the colors of nature. I eliminate unnecessary detail from my compositions and often use a limited palette of colors to create a tranquil atmosphere, in which people and animals go about their daily lives, undisturbed and unaware of the viewer. Areas of ‘quiet space’ have become prominent in my work, although this was not a conscious decision, but developed gradually as I spent time under the huge skies of the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. These quiet spaces balance the areas of detail and leave room for interpretation and imagination.
My Conservation Sketching Expeditions allow me to visit African conservation organizations, sketch on site and learn in detail about conservation issues. I use the resulting sketches and paintings to raise awareness and funds for the organizations’ field work. These visits also inspired the creation of a growing body of conservation and environmental-themed paintings based on issues I have encountered in the field. It can be a real challenge to depict complex issues like human-wildlife conflict in a painting, but it has given my art layers of meaning, as well as layers of color. I support African conservation organizations by making a donation from the sale of every original painting and limited edition reproduction.
Bio
I am a Signature member of Artists For Conservation and the Society of Animal Artists, a member of the Explorers Club and an artist member of the Salmagundi Club. My art has been widely exhibited, including at the Botswana Mission to the United Nations in Manhattan, and the US Department of State used my art to promote the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking initiative. I lead Art Safaris in South Africa for Africa Geographic and frequently lecture about art, Africa, wildlife and conservation. I have lectured at the Explorers Club, in schools, for private organizations and for volunteers at the Bronx and Central Park Zoos. I am English by birth but live in Port Chester, New York with my husband, Nigel, and German Shepherd dog, Chase.
Workshops/Classes Offered
African Art Safaris, teaching guests to sketch wildlife, from life. All experience levels are welcome. Non sketching partners are welcome. Maximum 6 guests per safari. Most safaris are 4 nights long, in private reserves in South Africa. Private safaris are also available. Art Safaris are organized by Africa Geographic and have been running since 2011.
https://artinspiredbyafrica.com/art-safaris/
https://artinspiredbyafrica.com/art-safaris/
