Alistair Makinson was born in Whalley, Lancashire. Art was never expected to become Alistair’s chosen career, in fact the young boy growing up in rural Lancashire had his mind set to work alongside agriculture.
This ambition materialised by selling animal health products along with general farming supplies. It was whilst recovering from a broken elbow that Alistair started to paint. His first few exhibitions were so well received by the public, that he decided to turn professional after only a year of painting.
The first few years were taken up by landscape painting, and trying to find his own niche and style. In 1996, after five years painting, Alistair started to concentrate on sporting paintings, finding them more challenging and more enjoyable. His major break came in 1997 when Malcolm Innes of Tryon Gallery saw some of Alistair’s work and invited him to exhibit some of his Scottish Salmon River scenes in a Christmas exhibition at his gallery in St. James’s London. H.R.H Princess Margaret attended the preview, and the following day a private viewing was arranged for H.M the Queen Mother.
He has had many one man shows since, and exhibited with some of the country's leading galleries. Clients include The Duke of Sutherland, The Duke of Roxburghe, The Duke of Westminster, Duke of Bedford.
Alistair lives and works in the Lune Valley, where he continues to find a constant source of inspiration.