Chichester Open Studios Artists
COS26 An Interview with Alison Furey Studio 21
Posted by Jazmine Saunders on 8th March, 2026
At Studio 21 DOWNS, Alison Furey presents textile work inspired by nature and created using natural dyes and ecoprinting. Working with fabrics such as silk, wool, cotton and linen, she uses leaves and plants to produce beautifully detailed prints, often revealing delicate vein patterns and the soft, blended colours found in nature. Here she shares an insight into her background.
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Chichester Open Studios Art Trail
Can you remember the first time you felt excited about making art? What were you doing?
Alison Furey
I had a fantastic “O level” teacher who really inspired me. I was 15 at the time.
I seem to remember I got rather captivated by drawing still life pictures of my
old shoes and boots. -
Chichester Open Studios Art Trail
What is your preferred medium, and why do you use it?
Alison Furey
I love textiles, and using natural dyes with ecoprint (contact botanical print).
I especially love natural dyes because firstly they are sustainable, and secondly the
colour tones produced blend together, just as you see them do in nature. I have also
become a better observer through my discovery of plants, trees and flowers.
I work with natural fabrics as only these work with natural dyes, but silk, wool, cotton
and linen are all lovely to handle. If these are recycled – so much the better! -
Chichester Open Studios Art Trail
How long have you been making art seriously?
Alison Furey
I think about 15 years. This dates back to when I first set up my Etsy shop. I
have of course been honing my hand skills for 50 years! -
Chichester Open Studios Art Trail
Do you plan your work or discover it as you go?
Alison Furey
I would say I do both. A lot about ecoprinting is discovering as you go, because
the tannin:iron reactions vary according to how strong the iron is, the weather, what
season it is, how old the leaf is etc. Part of the excitement is unbundling the ecoprint
bundle and discovering what you have.
With quilting and mixed media work, sometimes I plan it out, and sometimes I put
things together “on the hoof.” -
Chichester Open Studios Art Trail
What can visitors expect when they come to see your work?
Alison Furey
Visitors are often stunned by how clear the leaf prints are on the fabric, including
vein detail, in my ecoprinted pieces. Also how nature’s colours blend effortlessly.
I think they will also notice my distinct use of colour, say in my quilts, as I have been
told repeatedly by others that they would never have thought of combining such
colours, although they work together really well. -
Chichester Open Studios Art Trail
What might visitors be surprised to learn about you?
Alison Furey
I am a doctor (retired) by training. But is does explain my love of alchemy and
natural dyes. Perhaps I would have been labelled a witch in times gone by, due to
my plant knowledge.
