Courting Puffins

14 x 10″
Oil on Canvas

Contact Alison about this painting

Courting Puffins was painted in 2025 and shows 3 puffins billing in a courtship display. The puffins that Alison paints are from Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire. They are on the island from May to July for their breeding season. Their numbers are in decline but Skomer Island is a major breeding ground and large numbers can still be seen.

Puffins are classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).

Atlantic Puffins are delightful, sociable birds with their upright stance and striking black back and white underparts. Their red and black eye markings and flat colourful beak and orange feet contrast beautifully with their plumage. They have a quizzical expression that is endearing and rather comical. These beautiful birds have been a firm favourite for Alison to paint, as they really lend themselves to her style.

Alison has an extensive gallery of puffin paintings. Her first interpretation of the ‘clown of the sea’ was a pair of ceramic puffins made for her Ceramics O level in 1985. These are still in her possession.

The first exploration into a new style of painting was ‘Puffin Paradise’ painted in 1999. This painting was entered into The Artist magazine 2000 competition and won the Abstract/Experimental category.

Puffins have remained a favourite subject for Alison to paint and she often has new puffin paintings available.