Alison Doucette: Stitching from the Heart

Alison Doucette. Photo courtesy of Gateway Arts.

by Shabbi Sharifi

BROOKLINE, MA — “Oh yeah, I just finished this sun with a rainbow effect on the background…I like the colors on that one,” Alison casually explained after I asked what her favorite piece in her collection was. Then she showed me the piece, and it was anything but casual. What I saw was a colorful background with various pinks, purples, oranges, and blues surrounded by a blue and yellow sun and outlined in a vibrant yellow. The sun itself had a playful smile that could only have been crafted by an experienced artist. 

Oh, and did I mention that it was all embroidered? This was Alison Doucette’s latest piece of art that she made at Gateway Arts. 

Gateway Arts is an art studio in Brookline, Massachusetts that is committed to “​​providing individualized, arts-based services to adults with disabilities, and supporting meaningful lives and careers in art.” We had the chance to meet Alison, get to know her a little bit, and learn about her art career, as well as how she came to be an artist at Gateway Arts.

Alison Doucette: Untitled. Embroidery and acrylic on canvas. Photo courtesy of Gateway Arts.

So Alison, tell us a little bit about yourself! What are some important facts about you?

So, I have four brothers. Two are my real brothers and the other two are my brothers because we’re so close — but they’re my cousins, really. All of them are married. I have two nieces and some nephews. One of the nephews is 16 and drives, and it terrifies me. I get my artistic stuff from my mom — she was an art teacher. For fun, I like to hang out with my friends or go to the movie theater when it's not so dangerous with COVID, go out for dinners, bowling, artwork, watch the Red Sox on TV when they’re not losing, hanging out with my family, and going on trips.

How long have you been living in a Specialized Housing community?

10 people moved in at once — but not all together. They spaced it out so it wouldn’t be so packed. We moved in in shifts. I think it was 2001 that I moved in, and I’m still there. The staff are awesome. The town is awesome. There are buses and trains to get to stores. The grocery store is walking distance. You don’t have to say “hey mom, I need this, can you pick it up for me?” All your activities are right in reach. But it can get chaotic sometimes.

Can you talk a little bit about when and how you first discovered your love for creating art?

I think more of it was maybe when I came to Gateway. I knew I liked it a little bit growing up…but I didn’t know what kind of art I liked. I can’t sew a button on a shirt correctly, but I can sew the canvases you see behind me. So I think I discovered this kind of art here, mostly. [The canvases behind her consisted of several intricate, brightly colored, embroidered pieces]. 

How would you describe your artistic style? What is your favorite type of art to create or type of medium to use?

It’s embroidery. I don’t know about my style….I kind of just look at a computer and say “I like this style, I’ll use that.” I was telling Rae [the recently retired former director of Gateway Arts] that I wanted to donate a piece to the school that had a shooting … for the kids. So, I found out what the Texas flower is, and I created a piece for the school. So sometimes I just like to do things for donations, or in memory of a person. Like I did a shirt of Kobe Bryant with his daughter. At one point, I did David Bowie … everyone did David Bowie. I do flowers, I do birds, I actually did my mom’s townhouse. I did superheroes for my nephews. 

What I usually do is I take [a photo] off my phone or computer and then copy it and then trace it with tracing paper. Then I use watercolors, which helps you see the color of the thread on the canvas. 

Alison Doucette: Untitled. Embroidery and acrylic on canvas. Photo courtesy of Gateway Arts.

Can you talk a little bit about one of your favorite pieces?

Probably the one I just finished. I just finished this sun with a rainbow effect in the background. We don’t know what we’re going to do with it. Sometimes we put it on clothes, tote bags, or we might just have it alone. Or sell it as a patch, or stuff like that. I like the colors on that one.

How did you find out about Gateway Arts and how did you get involved?

My parents talked to my old roommate’s parents and SHI told them a little about it, too, because they found out that I like art. At first, I was iffy about it. I was not so sure about it at first. I think it was 5 years after I moved into the [Specialized Housing] house and I said “Alright, let’s do a tour [of Gateway] and see how it is,” because I didn’t know much about it. 

And I liked it! I really liked how things were. And then I just went from there, it was a go. You have drama sometimes, and sometimes people say stuff, but most of the time it’s just that fun drama, you know, it’s like “alright.” You just brush it off and laugh at it most of the time. 

How has being a part of Gateway Arts shaped you as an artist?

It challenges me to do different things and gets me into other, newer things besides the same things over and over. I like to do the same thing because I feel safe in that element. So some people like to give me challenges; I like how they challenge the people here. And I like to be in my zone while working. You’re not paid to talk to people at work!

Alison Doucette: Untitled. Embroidery and acrylic on canvas. Photo courtesy of Gateway Arts.

Do you have any rituals you do while you work? Do you listen to music, drink coffee?

I’ll have a Diet Coke. I’m not a coffee drinker. I go the safe route, with a screw top so if it spills, it doesn’t get on your work. 

What’s the longest you’ve ever spent on one piece?

Oh boy, maybe 6 months to a year. Because of COVID, I think. It depends on the canvas or the size too, that can make a longer process. 

Did you always start with embroidery? What drew you to it?

I kind of don’t know. I looked at images and thought “let’s try sewing it on a canvas.” Maybe someone did it here and I liked it. So I tried it. And I enjoyed it. 

Anything else we should know?

If you like art, look at Gateway Arts, because it’s a really great place to get involved with. Or go onto gatewayarts.org if you have any presents or gifts you want to get people. We do shipping, or you can come into the store [in Brookline, MA]. You’ll really love the stuff we have here. It’s really great. 

Learn more about Gateway Arts and see Alison’s artwork at www.gatewayarts.org.