Alison Spaven
Alison encountered needle felting completely by chance ten years ago and has never looked back. After a lifetime of watercolours, oils and a brief dalliance with ceramics, Alison finds the organic nature of wool perfect for creating the animal art she is known best for. Her inspiration comes mainly from the animals she encounters in the fields and woods that surround her village home, but she has also kindly been given permission on occasion to work with the occasional photograph that offers a particular challenge - be that a falcon perching on a gargoyle on York Minster or the incredible horns on a Portland tup.
Recently, Alison has been pushing the boundaries of what her felting needle will do and is re-acquainting herself with portraiture - an early love. Her study of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was shown at the Knit and Stitch Show in Harrogate, then formed part of the York Textile Artist's Annual Exhibition in the Cemetery Chapel in York. Alison is a founder member and Co-Chairperson of the group, which strives to promote textile art and champion excellence in the medium.
Alison has exhibited in shows and galleries across the North of England and was awarded the Animal Artists Association Chairman's Choice Award in 2019. Her characterful art is in collector's homes across the UK , the United States, Canada and Australia and is created from rare breed wool using a single felting needle. Now, of course, her completed work and her workspace are located in The Shambles in Malton and Alison has been delighted with the reception it has had.