I'm currently accepting commissions for original illustration, art or design for your home or business this autumn.

If you are looking for a special and unique gift, or perhaps just a piece of art that means something to you, you can commission me to create an original illustration or illustrated map to capture memories (of a special holiday, places you've lived, or things that have happened).

You can find out more about my commissions process on my website at www.coostie.co.uk/commissions

I’m Ali, an illustrator making unique artworks inspired by nature and the North.

I was born and bred in County Durham and a sense of being northern has always formed an important part of my identity. After a career spent crafting words and pictures in the South East as a graphic designer and communications specialist, I had the opportunity to move back to the North of England and set up my own illustration studio.

I love everything about where I live – just 2 miles south of the border with Scotland. There’s dramatic coastline, wild uplands and tranquil riverside, as well as thousands of years of history and culture right on my doorstep. All of this - and the desire to look after this special place - inspires my illustration and design.

I named my studio ‘Coostie’, which is a dialect word of north Northumberland meaning ‘good’ or ‘great’, because I wanted my creative business to be as ‘good’ as it can be. Sustainability is very important to me and I only work with suppliers who have a transparent supply chain and strong ethics. If you purchase artwork or a gift from me, you can be confident that it was made in the most environmentally-friendly way possible and that it will be sent to you with minimal packaging. A percentage of my profits will always go to support local charities that look after Northumberland’s built and natural heritage.

I sell a range of my artwork as art prints and gifts, as well as creating special, one-off illustrated maps to capture memories of a special holiday, places you've lived or key life moments, with the associated landmarks, wildlife and geographical features defined by you.

So whether you are looking to buy a thoughtful and environmentally-friendly gift inspired by Northumberland, or you are looking for someone to create an original piece specially for you, or to gift to that hard-to-buy for family member or friend, I hope you’ll consider supporting my small business.

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