Owl Watching

Alison McIlkenny is a Northern Irish artist known for her bright, expressive paintings that aim to capture the true essence of her subjects. Working primarily in oils and charcoal, Alison brings energy and emotion to her work through dynamic brushwork and bold composition.

Although her artistic roots lie in painting and drawing, Alison originally pursued a successful career in jewellery design. After earning an advanced diploma in metal clay at the Mid-Cornwall School of Jewellery, she spent a decade designing and creating fine silver pieces. She was among the first in Northern Ireland to design, make, and teach using metal clay—a medium that allowed her creativity to shine in a completely different form.

Now fully focused on her first love—art—Alison is largely self-taught and driven by a strong belief that passion, dedication, and immersion are key to mastering any craft. She describes art as her obsession, her passion, and her greatest love.

Alison lives a vibrant family life as a wife and mother of two, and shares her home with an energetic dog named Archie, a budgie called Olive, and a parrot named Kahlo, lovingly named after the artist Frida Kahlo.