Alison Whateley Contemporary Mixed Media Textile artist
Artsist Bio
Alison is a contemporary textile and mixed media artist whose work spans both representational and abstract forms, all inspired by the natural world. A self-taught artist, she discovered her passion for textile art in her late forties and has continued to refine and expand her practice ever since. Born and raised in Devon, she began creating from her home before moving in 2022 to a dedicated studio in the Devon countryside, just outside Exeter. This new space has allowed her to broaden her artistic approach, incorporating mixed media, fabric manipulation, and a variety of other techniques to develop a distinctive style defined by texture, depth, and expressive detail.
Alison exhibits her work both locally and across the UK, with pieces selected for prestigious shows including ING Discerning Eye and the Royal Society of Marine Artists at the Mall Galleries in London. In 2024, she appeared as a participant on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year. She is an Academician of the South West Academy of Fine & Applied Arts (SWAc), and a member of both the Devon Artist Network and the Society for Embroidered Work. Her work is represented by a number of galleries throughout the UK.
Artist Statement
My work is inspired by the ever-changing landscapes and seascapes around me. I work intuitively, allowing each piece to evolve naturally rather than following a rigid plan. I don’t use a sketchbook — instead, I work loosely from photographs I’ve taken while outdoors, using the camera on my phone to capture both sweeping views and intricate details such as patterns, textures, and colours. These moments in nature feed directly into my creative process, helping me capture the beauty and serenity of the natural world in my own way.
Colour plays a vital role in my work, shaping both the composition and emotional impact of each piece. I draw inspiration from the diverse colour combinations I encounter — from the natural hues of rock formations at the beach to the range of tones and textures found in fabrics themselves. Whether creating a representational scene or an abstract, highly textured composition, I carefully select fabrics — both new and reclaimed — layering and stitching them to build depth and movement. I often incorporate additional materials to enrich the surface further, adding dimension and a sense of organic fluidity to the finished work.
Commissions
Alison is always happy to discuss commissions, so if you have an idea you would like to explore then please get in touch for a chat.
All commissions are priced on an individual basis depending on size and complexity.
A minimum deposit of £100 is required for commissions up to £1000. For commissions exceeding £1000, a deposit of 10% of the quoted final cost is required.
The remaining balance is due before the collection or delivery of all commissions.
You can find her work in the following galleries
- SALTBOX GALLERY, 2 Castlegate, Helmsley, York YO62 5AB
- VK GALLERY, 18A Bridge Street, St Ives, Cambridgeshire. PE27 5EG
- SEAGLASS GALLERY, The Strand, Lympstone. EX8 5ES
- OTTERTON MILL, Fore St, Otterton, Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HG
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