Alison’s work is playful and surreal, but always with an undercurrent of tenderness and fragility. She explores contrasts in her work such as whimsy against gothic undertones. She brings these elements to life through painting, drawing, and intaglio printmaking, often tucking them into handmade or vintage frames. The ornate frames add a theatrical, almost whimsical stage for the characters to play on. Outside the studio, Alison is a professional mermaid and sets up submerged cameras to capture artistic underwater videos, and photographs of her mermaid swimming.
She earned a BFA from the University of Regina and MFA in Printmaking from Louisiana State University. She now works from her home studio in Calgary, Canada. Alongside making art, she stays active in the community through exhibiting, coordinating shows and events, teaching, and volunteering. Alison’s work has traveled to audiences in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Australia.