Ali is an Oxfordshire botanical artist, preferring to work in the mediums of  watercolour, pen and ink, or graphite pencil.   She is also an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, working in Oxford city. 

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Ali was born in Oxford, but has lived in many rural areas throughout the UK, from Dorset in the South, to the Isle of Kerrera off the West coast of Scotland.  She has also lived in the South of France.  Experiencing a wide range of habitats for flora and fauna she has always had a love of nature.   

 

After experiencing serious illness that left her unable to work for a long period in the NHS,  Ali  rediscovered a love for painting and drawing.  She took a certificate in Botanical Illustration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, and then the Society of Botanical Art Diploma, gaining a distinction.   Since then, Ali has been teaching botanical illustration and art locally, from those who have never drawn or painted, to those undertaking the SBA diploma, or wanting to take their skills to the next level.  She has also undertaking private and commercial commissions in watercolour and pen and ink.  

 

Inspired by her mother Jenny, who was an avid gardener and who worked in the Botany department at Oxford University, Ali seeks to increase her knowledge of botany and natural history, and also aims to work towards making botanical illustration tuition more accessible in Oxfordshire for both beginner and  experienced artists.

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Ali teaches small groups of people keen to learn to draw and to paint in watercolour.  Classes are held at the Northmoor Village Hall on Tuesday mornings weekly.   Private tuition is available at her Oxford studio.   All materials provided for your first, trial lesson. 

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Ali is a Founder member of the Oxford Society of Botanical Art, bringing artists of world-reknown to Oxford to share their knowledge and experience.   Artists including Mary Dillon, Elaine Searle, Jackie Isard, Billy Showell, Simon Williams, Lucy T Smith, and for 2026 - John Pastoriza Pinol! - See the Oxford Society of Botanical Art page on this website for details of upcoming courses

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