I’ve always been an ideas person. My brain never really hits pause — there’s always a concept forming, a visual story unravelling, even in the quietest moments. Maybe that’s why I spent so many years in advertising. It gave my restless creativity a home. But now, that energy of ideas pours into every piece of artwork.
For me, every painting begins with an idea and a drawing.
From Concept to Paper (Sometimes at 3AM)
My process starts when an idea strikes — often at the most inconvenient times. I’ve scribbled on the backs of receipts, in sketchbooks, and on whatever scrap paper I can find in the middle of the night. These early sketches are raw, intuitive, and full of possibility. They’re not about precision — they’re about getting the idea out before it disappears.
This is where the heart of the work is born. I have weird ideas, but in advertising we were taught that no idea is a bad idea. Let it out into the world and see if something comes of it.
Mood Boards, Mediums & Visual Play
Once the concept is down, I shift into exploration mode. I build a mood board — a visual playground where acrylic styles sit beside vintage photography, fabric swatches and pastels. It’s a way to visualise the idea with colours and textures before I commit them to canvas or digital form.
Building Art With Intention
I want my work to speak — not just visually, but conceptually. Whether it’s a bold portrait, a surreal series like Lost in Space, or a whimsical study like Ballerinas in Big Hats, every piece begins with a why.
As a Creative Director and artist, my goal isn’t just to make something beautiful. It’s to tell a story — one that started with a pencil and a weird idea in the middle of the night that wouldn’t let go.
Original Artwork That Begins With Meaning
Alicia Bourley Art is really a journey of a restless mind. Creating in any form helps to settle it.