Alison Friend

About the Author

A graduate of Nottingham Trent University with a degree in Fine Art and Printmaking, Alison Friend was also the first female stonemason for the City of Nottingham. She is an accomplished children’s illustrator of over 20 published books to date—with notable publishers such as Harper Collins, Nosy Crow, Hodder Children’s, Templar, Usbourne, Little Tiger Press, Alfred Knopf and most recently Artisan. 
 
Her oil paintings blend traditional portrait techniques—like those of the Old Masters—with contemporary whimsy, particularly capturing the human-like antics of cats and dogs. A fine art graduate from Nottingham Trent University, where she specialized in printmaking, Friend initially pursued a career illustrating children’s books. Her transition to oil painting, marked by her unique anthropomorphic portrayal of animals, has brought her widespread acclaim. Friend has exhibited her work throughout the UK, Los Angeles, NY, and Miami. Exhibits include the British Art Fair at Saatchi Gallery, Context, Manchester Art Fair, Royal Watercolour Society, and Outsider Art Fair. 
 
Alison lives with her son in the Lake District.