ABOUT ALI
Both of my parents were artists—my mother a painter and interior decorator, my father a creative advertising director with a gift for language. We lived in a renovated barn with exposed beams and steel horse-stall railings dividing the space. Two early visual memories stand out: my stepbrother’s walls painted a florescent lime green (not of his choosing) and a powder room wallpapered in crinkled matte aluminum foil, forming abstract, light-reflecting tributaries.
I sold my first commission at 22 while studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. For a final project focused on a neighborhood study, I chose the Fulton Fish Market, the wholesale fish market in lower Manhattan. I still remember the sound of corrugated metal doors slamming shut at dawn. That piece became a birthday gift for the owner of Smitty’s Fillet House–my first sale.
During university, I worked as graphics co-editor for both the college newspaper and literary magazine. I later spent more than 30 years in corporate communications and design, developing a strong foundation in typography, visual identity and production. My work was rooted in research–historical and contemporary–and focused on creating clear, compelling visual narratives.
Throughout my career, I developed a deep appreciation for texture, paper, typography, and the urban landscape. I spent years photographing New York City—its architecture, signage and constant movement. More recently, my focus has shifted towards nature—its seasonal changes and organic forms—while continuing to explore contrast and juxtaposition.
I think of this as a kind of “third eye”, a way of seeing that gravitates toward unexpected visual relationships. Each day I search for a detail that disrupts the familiar, an image that invites pause and closer attention. My current practice brings together these experiences—design, history, observation and intuition—into a layered, evolving body of work.
Look closely, notice what feels off-kilter, and let your imagination lead the journey.
Recipient of the 2026 Community Choice Award presented June 2026 For Art in the Windows, New Canaan, CT by New Canaan Chamber of Commerce and the Carriage Barn Arts Center
Get in touch with me below.
Interested in a Piece or Project?
Interested in a Piece or Project?
Original Paintings, Photographs and Prints Available