About
Alan Lawson is an award-winning artist, author, journalist and cultural commentator whose work spans portraiture, literature and the philosophy of nature. Trained in advanced classical painting at the Florence Academy of Art and holding a Master’s in English Literature from the University of Aberdeen, his practice bridges visual and literary disciplines. His portraiture is held in private and public collections, including his portrait of the late poet John Burnside, now part of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s collection. He is also co-founder and co-director of The Alpine Fellowship, a foundation supporting the arts and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.
Alongside his visual work, Alan writes on the arts, culture and the natural environment. His poetry has been published in literary journals such as Studies in Photography, American Arts Quarterly and Bare Hands Poetry Magazine, and he was shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize in 2014. His debut novel, The Birdwatchers — endorsed by the late John Burnside, winner of the David Cohen Prize for Literature — will be published by Foreshore Books in 2026.
Alan’s subjects include the relationship between people and place, the restorative qualities of the natural world, rock climbing as cultural spectacle, and the intersections between creativity, mental health and wilderness. He is actively involved in charitable initiatives and has expressed ambassadorial interest in organisations such as the RSPB, Woodland Trust and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
Based between the UK and Switzerland, Alan maintains parallel professional and personal interests in painting, literature, birdwatching, climbing, scuba diving and the outdoors — all of which inform his writing and artistic practice. He is also a correspondent for The European magazine.
Further Information:
Personal website: https://www.aj-lawson.com
Socials: Instagram – @alanjlawson
