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Alison’s paintings are visual representations of both the passing of time and time eternal. They explore the ancient and mythical connections between mankind and the animal world. The cave-like figures, inspired by the ancient cave drawings of France, revitalize primitive pictorial dialogue early humans once held, a dialogue that explored mankind’s place, both physically and spiritually, in our animal kingdom.

She works to convey this feeling through vivid, earthy colors and pictographs inspired by the ancient cave drawings of France. The Native American flavor of her work comes from extensive travel and study in the American Southwest, observing color and light. She is especially drawn to the tones of the earth itself, which are reflected in many of her paintings. These tones work to further enhance the Earth/Spirit connection much of her work represents.

Alison’s use of color evokes a sense of day and night, and the cycles of the seasons. In addition, by applying thin layers of translucent acrylic, much like a watercolorist, she allows background to permeate the subjects. Alison builds organic textures to resemble the actual look of animals etched in stone.

Alison was born and spent her youth in Vermont, migrating to Colorado in 1983 to study at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She began to revive her passion for painting when she attended the Loveland Academy of Fine Art in 1992. She owned and operated her own business for ten years, during which she painted in her studio every free moment she could find. In 1996 she committed to being an artist full-time. She lives in Boulder, Colorado with her two daughters.

Artist’s Statement

“The image of a buffalo is powerful, but the soul of a buffalo is divine,” says Alison Dearborn. Alison believes in the connectedness of all life -- past, present, and future.

“Everyone knows what these animals look like,” Alison says, “but I want to show what they feel like -- what meaning they hold for us, as the descendants of the people who climbed into caves thousands of years ago to paint their world on rock.”

“I strive to create a luminescence in the figures,” says Alison. “I use whichever colors move me, as well as selecting color to reflect the spirit of the animals. My main directive when I paint is to capture the essence of the animals with an economy of line and lucid color. I think it makes for a dynamic painting, as opposed to something I would see in nature.”

Alison’s work can be found in fine art galleries in Park City UT, Durango CA, Delray Beach FL, and other cities. For a location near you, contact us.