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The Tender Future


  • Emerald frames & Gallery Workshop 1, Blay’s House Churchfield Road Chalfont St Peter SL9 9EW (map)
Behind-the-scenes look at Ali Mackie’s creative process and sketchbook inspiration for her colorful contemporary folk-art pieces featured in The Tender Future exhibition at Emerald Frames & Gallery.

The Tender Future: work in progress on the studio shelf

The Tender Future: A Summer Exhibition at Emerald Frames

I am so thrilled to invite you to The Tender Future, a curated summer group exhibition running at Emerald Frames & Gallery in Chalfont St Peter.

Following my residency time with the gallery, I’ve returned to their contemporary walls with a fresh, vibrant body of work. This collection is a celebration of modern folk art—bold, joyful, and deeply expressive. It isn't a cold, slick vision of tomorrow; instead, it looks at the future through a lens of rich storytelling, playful patterns, and the everyday magic we hold onto as the seasons shift.

For this show, I’ve poured my energy into a collection of four 30cm mixed-media pieces. They feature a bright, layered palette of warming ochres, rich teals, and uplifting corals, grounded by the playful charms of contemporary folk design.

The Art & Story

If you’ve followed my work for a while, you know I love finding extraordinary joy in ordinary corners. This folk-art collection bridges the gap between raw botanical observation and imaginative pattern design. Inside these layers, you'll find dancing silhouettes, stylised nature, and rich storytelling elements designed to bring an optimistic, celebratory energy into your home.

My paintings combine layered acrylics with raw, energetic pencil marks, capturing a bold sense of play. They are built to stand out and bring a bright, happy statement to your walls.

All original paintings on display are fully available to purchase through the gallery. Whether you are looking to acquire a piece of contemporary folk art for your interior space or simply want an uplifting afternoon surrounded by colour, the gallery's doors are wide open to you.

Original mixed-media folk art painting 'Finders Crown' by Ali Mackie, exhibiting as part of her summer collection for The Tender Future at Emerald Frames & Gallery in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire.

Finders Crown, mixed media on board, £440

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18 June

‘In The Frame’ Exhibition & Private View with Ali Mackie

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16 July

Sketchbook Play - Taster Workshop