Meet Alison Escobar, an artist whose journey is as vibrant and diverse as her creations. Diagnosed with both ASD and combined ADHD later in life, Alison’s artistic path has been shaped by her intense interests, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep connection to woven fabrics. Inspired by her love for colors, textures, and the emotional resonance of repurposed materials, she embarked on a unique artistic endeavor, using baby wrap fabric scraps as her primary medium for Wintergirlwolf art. Through her work, Alison not only expresses her creative vision but also makes a positive impact by contributing to charitable causes and bringing comfort to those in need. Join us as we delve into Alison’s creative process, the significance of her Middle Earth by Night series, and her journey balancing motherhood, work, and artistry.
Can you tell us about your journey as an ADHD artist and how it has influenced your creative process?
I was diagnosed at age 38 with both ASD (what probably would have been Aspergers syndrome previously) and combined ADHD – two contradicting forces in my life. I had always suspected I was autistic after interacting with autistic folks at Mensa meetings, but the ADHD took longer to click, but then made absolute sense. I studied Art/Graphic design woodworking in secondary (high) school, then did an MA hons at in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies at St Andrews University. However I couldn’t bring myself to follow the career path for many reasons – I now work part time in a University in finance/admin, look after my kids, and when I can, I work all I can on art and sometimes photography. It upsets me if I can’t align the patterns and composition colours to my satisfaction, until its “right”. I am generally high masking and low support needs, but went through some very bad burnout phases, including being in hospital overnight in autistic “shut down” I have a gret need to be alone and contemplate things. I live near botanical gardens, which is really inspiring.
My previous (and ongoing!) intense interests have been Mt Everest, aviation, photography (I’ve had about 60 photos published in a regional newspaper and the BBC website), Tolkien’s works and New Zealand. I’m an obsessive reader and learner. I have a lot of diverse experience, and it all influences my creative journey, I think.
What inspired you to use baby wrap fabric scraps as your primary medium for Wintergirlwolf art?
I have the intense focus and obsession with woven fabric for at least 4 years now, although I’ve always loved colours and textures. I spotted Oscha slings and Firespiral slings the fabric was ethical, beautiful, woven in the UK, plus I had a small baby (who I wrapped) so it was perfect! So many colours, designs, textures…. I couldn’t afford *all* the baby wraps, but I though get a little piece of each by purchasing a small scrap pack. I also get the scraps of old baby wraps that are too worn to use from independent crafters/sewists, who remake them into bags, shawls etc and leave little bits for me.
The fabrics are high end and rare (some have only 100-200m woven, that’s it) and so being able to preserve and re-use the little pieces feels 1) environmentally sound 2) creatively sound – really visually inspiring 3) emotionally/spiritually sound – some this fabric was used to wrap babies and their parents/carers together. How many memories are contained in these scraps of fabric? And piecing them together brings a new life to them.
I also enjoy meticulously gluing individual small reflective beads on. It really lifts the design out the fabric, the irregular texture causes a sparkle. Its funny I know, I can glue bead by bead on, but I can’t sew or embroider with beads! No patience.
I honestly am sloppy at sewing. So I thought, why not try collage?
Could you share a memorable experience or moment when your art made a positive impact on someone’s life?
I did 4 pictures for a family that lost their mother, using the woven wrap scrap fabric that belonged to her so her kids have something tangible of the woven fabric she loved. I did some sunflower pictures for Ukraine, and I believe one lives in Kiev now. More than fame or money, I am happy to get my pictures into the hands of people who appreciate and love them. If it lifts someone’s spirit or brightens their wall during a dark time that is important to me. That’s what motivates me. To share some of my passion.
What challenges have you faced as a mother of two small children while pursuing your artistic passion?
Mostly exhaustion. I work, I do 3-4 hrs housework a day, I get the kids to bed, get straight into pyjamas and most evenings literally crash on the sofa at 8:30pm watching TV and my husband puts a blanket over me. Just existing being Neurodivergent is exhausting. My ADHD brain wakes me up early in the morning blaring songs and lists and tasks. My oldest daughter to use fabric for pictures too, but I struggle with instructing, we mostly do “parallel play” rather than me instructing her. I struggle with not getting explosively upset and trying to balance my energy reserves to give my kids the attention they deserve and the art the attention I want to give it. Honestly, it doesn’t work, but there is nothing I can cut back on and be happy. I just try to spin all the plates and not burn out.
How do you balance raising a family, managing Wintergirlwolf art, and contributing to charitable causes through your work?
For the last three years I’ve donated pictures to raise money for charity fundraising – I think we’ve raised £1500 for baby loss charities and £100 or so for the two UK RNLI (lifeboats) That’s been really satisfying. It not official, we are a group of friends from all over the world who pool their donations, but it works well. The RNLI is emotional for me as my Grandpa was a huge supporter and his name is on side of the Whitby lifeboat, and my father loves sailing. For the baby loss charities, I have had no losses myself, but as part of the wider babywearing community I have become aware of just how utterly devasting these losses are, and how much research is needed. So many people never get answers. It’s a way to fight back against the dark.
What lessons have you learned from your experiences as an artist and entrepreneur that you’d like to share with others?
I’m not sure I have much wisdom to pass on –– my goal is to make the art I want, and if it speaks to others I am so glad! I’ve tried to be less self-critical about my work and follow it through until I am happy. I guess that’s the best advice. Follow your inspiration and keep at it. Many artists struggle with the business side and I am no exception, so I am not selling at the moment, saving pieces for an exhibit one day, and plodding on.
Can you talk about the Middle Earth by Night series and its significance in your artistic journey?
So one of the companies fabric I used has official Middle earth licenced fabric. Being a Tolkien obsessive I wanted to bring life to his world, connecting with that childlike wonder of the Hobbit with a slightly childlike style. I like night because it’s a calm time of reflection and contemplation, less sensory stress. I like portraying the quiet times in Middle Earth, the pauses between the action where you can just enjoy the atmosphere. Also, the intensive colours I favour tend to suit nighttime colour palettes. I don’t plan to sell these or anything, but I would like to share images of them for people to enjoy, and maybe exhibit if its what they like. They fill my living space and bring me comfort.
How do you stay motivated and inspired during times of creative block or challenges?
This is a major struggle for me. Even on the nights I am shaking with exhaustion, I will lay out my table, and fabric and stare at it while the television is on. I *have* to. It feels wrong not to. I almost shut down, and but brain looks at the scattered pieces of fabric and spins them and matches them until I find what I am looking for, and then I chase the creative rabbit down the hole. My goal is always to cover the canvas at least, otherwise the idea tend to slip away. Some nights are just this contemplating. Night after night when I am too burnt out to do more.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who want to use their talents to make a positive impact on society?
I am a huge believer artists should be paid what they are worth for their work, paid a living wage. Pay for your art! I also think it would be great if from this value, we can take a little and direct some of it to worthy causes and get pieces to those who can be inspired and lifted by them. As well as financial contributions, if a piece lifts the spirits of someone in a hospice, someone suffering depression, someone who has just been rehoused with nothing to their name in an empty room, then I think that is an incredible thing.
How has your background in Scotland influenced your artistic style and storytelling in Wintergirlwolf art?
Scotland is fantastic. I grew up on the west coast, cold, misty rainy and hilly with beautiful lochs (lakes), I love the wild places, with as few crowds as possible, and that definitely has influenced my Middle earth and puffin pieces. Glasgow where I live has a building mural trail, and I find it so beautiful. I love the myths and legends and history, and that’s probably why I connect with Tolkien so much, as the same British landscape inspired him. I would love to do a Scottish triptych one day, based on legends.
