Alison Wallace Parham is a local watercolor artist that grew up in Santa Cruz, California. She discovered watercolors in 1999 when a friend invited her to take a class at the home of a local watercolor artist, Linda Lord. "I went and never looked back!" Parham has taken many classes, including with watercolor artists/authors Elizabeth Kinkade and Maryjo Koch.
Alison expresses, "Every picture tells a story. This statement describes the life of my watercolor paintings." Her work is vibrant and spans many genres.
For numerous years, Parham has participated in the Capitola Art & Wine, Scotts Valley Art & Wine, Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival, Santa Cruz Open Studios, the Bonny Doon Art Tour, and Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Markets. In 2020 to 2021 Alison did not take part in any shows due to the pandemic and the complete loss of her home and studio in the CZU fire. After rebuilding in 2022, she was able to start painting again and participate in the Bonny Doon Art Tour. "It felt “good” to be home and creating again."
It's now 2026, Alison and her husband have been putting finishing touches on their "new"home and garden. It's taken her six years to be able to say that she finally feels like she has her footing back! This is the first year since 2019 that Alison has participated in Santa Cruz Open Studios Tour.
