Alison Holt

Hailing from Shropshire, England, Alison studied Fine Art/Textiles & Embroidery at Goldsmiths College, London qualifying in 1979. Her talent was obvious immediately as she was invited to exhibit in Texprint `79 as one of the year's 30 most promising graduates.

Each piece that Alison creates is a combination of silk painting and stitch. The painting creates depth, perspective and richness to the work and combines effectively with stitch to give detail and texture. Using a 50 year old Bernina sewing machine as part of her creative process, Alison is quoted as saying she thinks of it as being as important to her process as her right hand is.

Alison's first book 'Plants and Flowers in Machine Embroidery' was published by Batsford in 1990 and launched at London's luxury department store, Liberty's. The incredible success it saw led to her being commissioned to create a further four which have all been received exceptionally well by critics and art lovers alike.

Each year since 1995, Alison has been invited to exhibit her work to the discerning elite of high society at London's Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show. As a key date in the calendar of many around the world this has led to her amassing a portfolio of collectors from locations as diverse as Tasmania, Alaska and Norway. She also regularly receives invitations to exhibit in the USA, Australasia and Asia.

In 2010 Alison was honoured with the Presidents Award at an event for the SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS. Following on from this incredible, surprise accolade she was made a Member of the SBA the very next year.

Alison is a regular face on BBC Television programs where she often appears as an 'art expert'. Most recently she was seen on 'Country File' being interviewed about working in and around the beautiful Shropshire countryside, where she resides.