A COLCHESTER tattoo artist has unveiled a new fine art project in support of an autism charity after being diagnosed with the condition in lockdown.

Alice Nicholls took on a Fine Art masters degree after being given the diagnosis.

Alice, who has been in the tattoo industry for more than a decade, hopes a new art project she is masterminding will support others with the condition.

It will see her draw hands of people with neurodiversity to raise money for Autism Anglia.

Alice and her family were supported by the charity after feeling let down by the healthcare system.

The project, called Your Hands, already has backing from famous faces.

She hopes the project will give people a better understanding of Autism.

“Hands tell the story of our lives,” she said.

“So much can be seen and expressed through our hands, I feel they have been undervalued in modern day portraiture.”

In her new project, Alice hopes to put a twist on classic portraits, drawing the hands of her models, a far cry from her usual practice of flower design.

She has recently opened a gallery room within the gallery room of her tattoo studio, The Fine Art of Tattoo on Eld Lane, where she is showcasing the work so far.

Alice said: “For me, drawing hands helped my autism diagnosis journey. I was diagnosed during lockdown and decided to take on my Masters Degree to help process my new situation.

“I struggle with sensory and social areas and I felt my hands were an excellent representation for both.

"Using coloured pencils I can achieve rich colour with the precision of a sharp edge for fine detail.

“Having explored my own diagnosis, I feel the next step is to express the stories of others through art, drawing their hands and creating awareness of different neurodiverse journeys.”