About the Artist
Scottish/American Portrait Artist
Painting the Lone Star State through a Highland Lens!
Bio:
I began painting in 2009 as a form of quiet therapy after losing my 20-year-old daughter in 2003. She was the artist in our family, and picking up a brush felt like a way to stay close to her—continuing a conversation through color and canvas.
Originally from Dunoon, Scotland, I now live and work in Corpus Christi, Texas. My portraits reflect both the soft, poetic light of the Highlands and the bold, sun-drenched vibrancy of South Texas. Though the two places couldn’t be more different, they both live in me—and in my work.
I paint exclusively in oils and am drawn to the emotional challenge of capturing a likeness. A portrait, for me, isn’t just about resemblance—it’s about presence. .
I would still paint if no one ever saw the work. For me, painting is how I process, remember, and stay connected—to others, to the past, and to something beyond myself.
I love to paint Portrait Commissions and All Things Texas.
Commission A Portrait
11x14" $900
16x20" $1,600
18x24" $1,728
20x30" $2,400
24x36" $3,456
30x40" $4,800
36x48" $6,912
36x72" $10,368
Custom Sizes Available. Minimum head size 5-6".
Additional 25% per extra individual or intricate details.
Price does not include Tax, Frame or Shipping.
Member of the CowGirl Artists of America.
Magazine Article, June 2024. Magazine Article, September 2025
Demos:
I often demonstrate painting at the Art Museum of South Texas, special events like ArtRageous & ArtBall, K Space Contemporary Gallery for ArtWalk and with the Portrait Group at the Art Center of Corpus Christi, painting weekly from life and we also demo a few times a year for the public to view.
Photo By Shoocha Photography
Awards & Shows:
2026
First Place, South Texas, Art League Show at Texas A&M for Lessie
2025
Second Place, South Texas Art League Show at the Art Museum of South Texas for Pointy Boots Standing
Emily Rutland Memorial Award, Second Place, Tri-Group Show, Pointy Boots sitting, at Nueces Brewery
Honorable Mention, Chief Red Fox, South Texas Art League Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi.
2024
Best of Show, Tribute, Coastal Bend Community Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi
Honorable Mention, Pink to make the Boy's Wink, South Texas Art League Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi
Honorable Mention, Lone Rider, South Texas Art League Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi
2023
Best of Show, The Pioneer, All Things Texas Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi
Honorable Mention, Blooms of Remembrance, All Things Texas Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi
1st Place Award, Whispers of the Marshland, Coastal Dreams Show, Port Aransas Art Center of Corpus Christi
Best of Show, Madre Tierra, South Texas Art League Show, Oct.-Dec. 2023 at the Art Museum of South Texas
1st Place, Madre Tierra, South Texas Art League Show October-Dec. 2023 at the Art Museum of South Texas
Best of Show, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, Dimension L Show, October 2023 at the Art Center of Corpus Christi.
1st Place Award, The Story Teller, South Texas Art League June Show 2023, at The Art Center of Corpus Christi.
2nd Place Award, Just Another Van Gogh (Cigar Box Art) Tri-Group Show 2023 at Galvin House Gallery.
3rd Place Award, The Art Reception, Tri-Group Show 2023 at Galvin House Gallery
2022
Honorable Mention, South Texas Art League Annual Juried Exhibition 2022 at the Art Museum of South Texas. (Marion's Portrait)
1st Place Award in Sculpture for Frida in a Cigar Box, South Texas Art League 87th Anniversary Exhibition.
2nd Place Award, "Leaving Home" Painting, South Texas Art League 87th Anniversary Exhibition
3rd Place award, "GumTree Museum painting, South Texas Art League 87th Anniversary Exhibition
1st Place, Award the Barbara McDowell Memorial 2022, Tri-Group 57 (Midnight Sonata)
2021
Picked as one of three Merit Artists at the Rockport Center for the Arts Currents Show 2021
2nd Place, Independents Show 2021, Art Center, Corpus Christi, (The Horse Whisperer)
3rd Place, works on canvas, Members Show 2021, Art Center, Corpus Christi, (Aztec Princess)
2020
Best of Show, Independents Show 2020, Art Center, Corpus Christi, ( Midnite Sonata)
1st Place, Independents Show 2020, Art Center, Corpus Christi. (underwater portrait)
2019
Voted Best Artist in Itawamba County 2019
Best in Show, 2019, Mississippi Painters Society Annual Show, (GumTree Art Reception)?
1st place in Oil, 2019, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (Tupelo Civic Ballet)
2nd place in Photography, 2019, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (Bridal portrait)
2018
2nd place in Oil, 2018, Mississippi Painters Society Annual Show (Leaving, a portrait of my Mum)
3rd place in Photography, 2018, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (Butterflies)
2017
1st place in Oil, 2017, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (Valerie, Underwater Portrait)
2nd place in Oil, 2017, Mississippi Painters Society Annual Show (Grandmother's China Portrait)
2016
1st place in Oil, 2016, Mississippi Painters Society Annual Show (Tupelo Civic Ballet)
Finalist in the 2016, 12th International ARC Salon (Midnight Sonata)
1st place in Oil, 2016, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (The wee Squirrel)
2nd place in Photography, 2016, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show, (Lizard)
2015
Best of Show in Oil, 2015, Mississippi Painters Society Annual Show at the Gumtree Museum of Art in Tupelo, (Grandmother's Wedding Dress portrait)
1st place in Oil, 2015, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (Tip the Dog)
2013
2nd place in Oil, 2013, Mississippi Painter's Society's Annual Show at the Oren Dunn Museum in Tupelo, MS ("Wee Jug" painting)
2012
2nd place in Oil, 2012, "All Things Mississippi" Art Show at the Gumtree Museum of Art in Tupelo, MS (Alice in Turquoise, portrait)
2010
2nd place, 2010, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (Red Hat Ladies painting)
2009
1st place in Pencil, 2009, Northeast Mississippi Art Association's Annual Show (Peaceful, colored pencil drawing of a cat)
What Clients Say:
"Alison painted a portrait of our granddaughter Lily. We wanted her sitting at the top of our stairs. We liked her expression in one picture and her pose in another picture. She combined the two and used the expression we wanted. It is a family treasure and we could not have been more pleased with the portrait or with the patience of Alison. We highly recommend her. "
Phil & Mary Morris
"Alison painted a picture for us of our boy/girl twins. She captured their everyday personality, perfectly. She is one of the most patient, kind and talented women that I know and I am very honored to have one of her pieces of art. It will always be one of our greatest treasures. Thank You Alison."
Wayne and Samantha Wade
"I can not say enough about how HAPPY and EXCITED I am with the portrait of my grand daughter, Emma Reese, that Alison delivered today! SHE IS GORGEOUS and so life-like! It is as if I can touch the azaleas!! I was so pleased with the entire experience of working with Alison! She is so calm, reassuring and Talented!!! Emma Reese LOVED the photo sessions with Alison, and I can not wait until she sees herself on canvas tomorrow!!! She will be forever young in my portrait!!! Thank you Alison for sharing your talent for us to enjoy!!"
Susan Harp
