I am a big admirer of both modern and abstract art.   Upon first appearance, abstract and modern art appear to be the artist simply placing something random down on a canvas, but then we realize that good art is never random, but rather a way to reach out to the viewer on an emotional level.

I recently discovered the lovely Ali McNabney-Stevens, a Melbourne based British artist who has been featured in such magazines as Inside Out, Home Beautiful and Real Living.  She was also identified by The Design Files as one of the hottest art finds of the year.    What I love most about Ali’s artwork is the vibrant color and strong sense of self in her work.      Ali’s art isn’t always abstract, at times it simply moves away from the confines of reality.    A client recently told Ali that her art is just “abstract enough, not too much, just enough …”

Ali has just launched her second limited edition prints for 2013.

Ali works from her home studio in Melbourne and shares her home with her husband and three young children.

Thank you, Ali for taking the time to answer my questions!

Enjoy…

1. Five words that best describe you?

Compassionate, Energetic, Intuitive, Loving, Soulful

2.  How did your career get started?

My artistic journey started a long time ago at school…there was never any doubt that I would go to art college.  I attended Edinburgh College of Art and then had to get “proper” jobs.  I always hoped that I would be able to find the path back to my art and I suppose through sheer determination here I am.

3. What is the best (career or personal) lesson you have learned?

Keep putting one foot in front of the other and know that all the things you do have relevance.

4. Best decision you have made?

Personal: to get married to J and have my three beautiful children.

Career: to team up with Julia Green of  Greenhouse Interiors

5. Best advice you have been given?

It isn’t really mind blowing and you will have heard it a gazillion times before.. it is “keep going and don’t give up”.

6.  What inspires you?

Oh, really it can be anything, but if I ever get stuck I always return to the Northern Ireland ( where I used to live) landscape images in my mind and that seems to be the key to unlock my thoughts and get me painting.