Tell us a little about what you make?
I am an artist and I paint mostly Welsh Landscapes, being influenced by the ever changing environment in which I live. I like to paint quite big, as I can then be more expressive with putting paint onto a board.
What inspires you and where do you find that inspiration?
I love sitting in the landscape and finding a connection with it, by listening, feeling and looking at what’s around me. I’ll take a sketchbook out with me and make rough sketches of something I see, plus some words that will take me back to that place once I’m in the studio.
Tell us about your favourite medium.
I love working with acrylic paint on wooden panels. The wood is very forgiving as I do love to sand back areas. I can also attack a panel with a screwdriver or a knife to create lines and marks - I couldn’t do that so easily with paper. Acrylic works really well for me as it dries quickly. I’d love to paint in oil but it takes too long to dry and once a speck is on your sleeve, it soon travels round the house very speedily! I also love adding in marks with charcoal and pencil for added expression.
What are your favourite and least favourite parts of being an artist or maker?
I’m probably not alone in saying that my least favourite part is admin - keeping track of where paintings are is really important but a dull job. My favourite part is probably painting in the studio with the music turned up loud.
What does being a member of the Ceredigion Art and Craft Trail mean to you?
It’s great to be a part of a bigger group of like minded people, as being an artist can be quite solitary. I work alone in my studio and it’s easy to get too comfortable with that. The CACT gives me the opportunity to exhibit at shows and chat to other artist and makers, as well as people who come to see my work.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist/maker?
I’m a better afternoon painter, so I try to get any jobs done in the mornings, then head out to the studio in the afternoons. It may be for ten minutes or a few hours, depending on how I feel.
What are you working on at the moment?
Well, this morning I’ve been playing with gelli plate printing ready to do some collage. I’ve also got a couple of works in progress that form part of a series of paintings looking at water and stone.
How do you know when your work is finished?
That’s sometimes difficult. Sometimes I can overwork a painting and “kill” it completely! So, I usually work on a couple of paintings at the same time which gives me time to step back from one while working on another.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist/maker?
Challenges are positive things generally! Doing something I love every day means life as an artist isn’t too challenging - so I make my own challenges by trying different things in my work. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t, but I’ll have learned from it.
What advice would you give to new artists or makers at the start of their creative journey?
Paint every day and above all, have fun!
Read more about Sarah's art online here
