Many artists can sit firmly in one art-style box. Not Alicia Bourley. Her multidisciplinary art see her delve into drawing, photography, print, painting and dreaming, all at once.
Alicia has built a practice that refuses to be pinned down. And that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. Whether she’s painting, working digitally, or combining both, Alicia follows feeling over formula. We sat down with her to talk creativity, inspiration, and why the best art is the kind you can’t stop thinking about.
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Growing up in a creatively charged household, art has never been far from Alicia’s life.
“I’ve always been creative. Creativity runs in my family,” Alicia says with a smile. “My father was a fashion designer, my mother made crafts for gift shops, and my sister went on to start Koh Living.
“Being surrounded by makers and creators was simply the norm. As a child, I was usually the one inside drawing or painting while everyone else was outside playing.
“I held my first exhibition at 18 and went on to study art, design, and photography. But a pull towards the business of creativity led me in a different direction.
“I spent over 20 years working in advertising and marketing. I loved it… until something shifted in me.
“Eventually, I found myself wanting to create work that was entirely my own. Art had always been there in the background, quietly waiting.
What began as a return to something I loved, quickly became an obsession, and then a business.
Creating multidisciplinary art, Alicia doesn’t set out to work within any particular style.
“I tend to follow an idea or emotion rather than a formula. When I look back at my work, there are definitely recurring themes. Femininity, water, nature, flowers and the transient nature of beauty appear again and again,” says Alicia.
“My work often blends traditional and digital techniques. I am more interested in communicating an idea or emotion than limiting myself to a particular medium.
“The landscape, coastline and connection to water constantly find their way into my art. I’m also fascinated by psychology and what makes people tick, so emotions, relationships and human behaviour often influence my work.”
For Alicia, the real measure of a piece isn’t how it looks in a gallery.
“Art becomes part of our everyday environment,” she says. “I just love the idea that a piece can continue to reveal itself over time and become something meaningful to the people who share their home with it.
“I hope my work creates a connection. Whether that’s joy, curiosity, reflection or simply a moment of pause. I want people to feel something when they live with one of my pieces.
“I think we’re often drawn to art for reasons we can’t fully explain. And that’s part of what makes it so powerful.
“My hope is that people find pieces that resonate with them and bring a little more beauty, curiosity and meaning into their everyday lives.”
We loved discovering the multidisciplinary art that Alicia creates. We’re grateful to her for taking the time to share her story and her stunning work with us. To uncover more of her art, explore her website and follow along on Instagram.
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