Alyson Sheldrake - About Me

I am inspired by the wonderful light and scenery of the Algarve where my studio is based. I am a self-taught artist, best known for painting a wide range of modern style landscapes, seascapes, and familiar objects within my self-titled ‘New Wave’ style.

I have always loved writing as well, and my long-held dream of publishing my work came true in April 2020, with the launch of my first book, a travel memoir, and its sequel in November 2020. The third book in the Algarve Dream series was released in April 2021. I am also the author/curator of the Travel Stories series, and a former editor of the Portugal Letter magazine and feature writer for the Tomorrow magazine here in the Algarve.

My animal memoir, Kat the Dog - The remarkable tale of a rescued Spanish water dog was released in May 2022 and is a multi-award-winning bestseller.

My latest release, The Rainbow Bridge, is my first foray into fantasy fiction.

I have an honours degree in sport, and I am also a qualified teacher. I have 'A' levels in Art and English Literature – which explains my passion for art and my love of writing and blogging – but perhaps not why I spent 13 years working as a Police Officer; before leaving the Force to work my way rapidly up the education advisory service to become a Director of Education.

Giving up an illustrious and successful career in education may have seemed a crazy thing to do – but the creative call of my paints and brushes became too loud and insistent a sound to ignore. I escaped the dreary grey British weather together with my husband Dave, who is a professional photographer, and set up my art studio in the beautiful sunny Algarve in Portugal.

I now spend my days either in my studio painting or writing; or out with my husband and his camera, exploring the many beautiful and unspoilt beaches of the Algarve; or hidden ‘local’ villages that dot the Portuguese landscape together with our beautiful rescued Spanish water dog.