ABOUT ALISON

Alison Dougherty (b. 1977) is an American painter and curator based in Portland, Oregon. Her paintings are immersive visual experiences shaped by a dynamic range of energy drawn from personal encounters and lived experiences. Through abstract layering, forceful brushstrokes, impactful sgraffito-style mark making, and intentionally placed bursts of color, she creates works that feel both raw and atmospheric. Thick pigment is thrown and splattered across softly blended backgrounds, building surfaces rich with movement and emotion. Throughout her practice, Alison has infused her work with a passion for biophilic design—the belief that because humans evolved in nature, our minds and bodies are inherently drawn to it. She spends hours outdoors collecting and color-matching treasures found on her adventures, translating the vitality of the natural world onto canvas. Alison has a unique ability to pull viewers beyond the painted layers and into intimate emotional spaces while simultaneously creating distance that leaves room for wonder, contemplation, and curiosity. Her work makes a bold creative statement—challenging, thought-provoking, witty, and visually compelling. Constantly evolving, she continues to push herself through new ideas, concepts, and an ever-expanding exploration of color.

“I paint to remain in the present, while simultaneously reflecting on the past, which becomes my inspiration for the future.”-A.D

Born and raised in Carmel, Ca. Alison moved to the PNW in 2001 and received a BA in painting from PSU. She is the owner of OUTLIER GALLERY a mobile art space she built inside a step van. Inside here she shows her work pop-up style. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @outlier.gallery & @alisondoughety.fineart or sign upwith your email to receive event information and view available work@ alisondougherty.com

She is the current director and curator of Ford Gallery PDX. Her mission is to support new, emerging and established PNW artists.

Currently represented By Ryan James Fine Art Gallery, Kirkland WA https://www.ryanjamesfinearts.com/alison-dougherty

Each Painting is unique. I do not make reproductions of any kind or sell my work as NFT’s. I use acrylic paint to create numerous layers of depth with glazes and opaque saturated pigmented paint, using a variety of tools and methods to create vibrant pieces that evoke an array of emotions, thoughts and conversations. My goal is to give the viewer a visual experience and for collectors to bring a statement piece into their living spaces. My studio space is located in the historical Ford Building in Portland, OR. Studio visits by appointment