Zoe Alford
Gisborne

Zoë Alford is a painter and photographer who has lived in Gisborne for the last 20 years.
Before arriving in Gisborne, Zoë lived in America and the U.K. She has been painting and taking photographs most of her life. Studying photography at Brunel University in London encouraged her as did her time as a member of the Ealing Hampshire House Photographic Society.
Ten years ago she was invited to accompany a friend on weekly al fresco painting sessions. Zoë experimented with various mediums to find one that she could use easily on location; she found watercolours took too long to dry; charcoal seemed too dull; and coloured pencils were too insipid. Eventually her friend suggested she try pastels. It was a match made in heaven!
Zoë appreciates the immediacy and vibrancy of pastels and she loves the range of colours available which preclude the need for mixing. Once she had tried painting something larger and more detailed in her studio with pastels, there was no going back and she has used them ever since.
New Zealand landscapes provide Zoë with her inspiration with most of her works capturing the Gisborne, East Coast area, and also Bowentown and Waihi Beach in the Bay of Plenty, where she visits several times a year.
In 2005 Zoë won the Supreme Award for Best Artwork in Show at the National Women's Work Exhibition held in Gisborne over Queen's Birthday weekend. The prize was a trip for two to Australia. Zoë is also a full-time counsellor / psychotherapist with a private practice in Gisborne.

Some of Zoë's paintings can be viewed on line on her website. The address is http:/zoe.alford.googlepages.com/home
If you are interested in purchasing one of the works shown here or would like to discuss a commission, Zoë can be contacted on zoe.alford@clear.net.nz