Monday 23rd March 2020, Pyrenees

It's hard to imagine the changes that have taken place in "our world" since writing my last blog. I am still the same person who lives and breathes colour, just in another reality.

I'm experiencing "lockdown" along with billions of other people, the sudden restrictions on where I can go and what I can do. The simple act of shopping has taken on a new regime whereby I am required by French law to fill out an official form indicating my movements when I leave the house. I was so nervous the first time, I forgot my shopping bag and found myself smiling at people as if to reassure myself I'm still human being. 

Despite struggling to concentrate after reading various text messages about the horrors of the virus, I plunged myself into my painting. I set up a still life of flowers and decided on a black background adding a little spectrum violet. I felt the longing to do large painting, however I only have small watercolour blocks with me. 

My fridge has taken on a new look with the shelves stacked with palettes. I'm taking each moment as it comes and enjoying the Spring and dawn chorus....I have the odd panic attack of running out of paint...forget loo rolls! 

I wish anyone reading this love, health and inspiration. 

Join me for an illustrated talk and colour mixing demonstration ‘The Joy of Flowers’ on Saturday 24th April 2021 at Pegasus Art.

Time: 2 - 5pm

Tickets are £8 and are available to purchase online HERE.

Location: Attic Studios, Pegasus Art, Stroud, Glos GL5 2AZ

Kindly sponsored by St Cuthberts Mill

I was delighted to be asked to give a talk and colour mixing demonstration at Pegasus Art using my favourite Winsor & Newton gouache on Saunders Waterford paper, made by St. Cuthberts Mill. They kindly gave me two large watercolour pads to take with me on my travels to the Pyrenees and are sponsoring this event. Incredibly, they have been paper makers since 1700’s in their beautiful mill in Somerset. There will be paper samples to admire and take home at the talk.

I’ll be talking about my work as a colourist for the Liberty Design Studio and will share my experience of modernising the 19th century designs from the archives held in the head office, London W1. Connected to Liberty’s flagship building by a wooden bridge, the unique in-house studio is occupied by 18 highly skilled creatives who re-work and hand-draw artwork, creating over 250 fabric designs every year.

Enjoy a colourful slideshow exploring classic Liberty designs and the ‘Colour Bible’ that I used to produce multiple colourways. I’ll talk about the materials and techniques I learnt and still use in my work today, particularly colour combinations and bold palettes. There will be a chance to buy some of my giclee prints (prices start at £75) and greetings cards (£3 each or packs for £18) on the day.

As a fashion textiles graduate my first commission was a rug for The Conran Shop, quickly followed by a four year stint in the Liberty Design Studio. Since then my flower paintings have been exhibited at many galleries both private and public including the RWA, Bath Society of Artists and the Thelma Hubert Gallery. From 2000 I spent five years living in the Netherlands surrounded by tulips, an irresistible landscape for a plein air painter which deepened my love for colour.

In 2016 I was delighted to win first prize for ‘Flowers & Blue Jug’ at the Strand Gallery in London; an event sponsored by the Greenfingers Charity. There is much to look forward to in 2020 and beyond and I continue to paint every day.

I’m thrilled to announce my SALE FOR MAY ~ starting on Friday 1st May for the whole month, I am offering 20% OFF all prints from my collection.

“Bring some joy into your home with a Sarah Gillard print!”

Choose from 20 different designs in three sizes - small 35 x 28cm £75, medium 50 x 40cm £100 and large 66 x 53cm £150.

All of my designs are printed on Somerset Velvet Enhanced White 100% cotton Fine Art Paper 330gsm made by St Cuthberts Mill. Amazingly, St Cuthberts has been making exquisite fine art papers since the 1700’s from their mill in Somerset, taking advantage of the clear water of the River Axe.

Please do forward this post to your friends and family and share this discount.

Simply shop online at www.sarahgillard.com/prints-to-buy

Thank you for all your support and best wishes,

Sarah x

Thank you so much for your interest in my work. Tomorrow I will be offering a 20% discount off all the prints if anyone feels tempted, for the whole month of May! It’s a SALE FOR MAY!

I have been staying in the Midi - Pyrenees for the last couple of months as I originally came out to house/cat sit. I arrived in early March and enjoyed a blissful two weeks exploring the local surroundings, mostly on foot. My first painting expedition was a ten minute walk to sit in a field and paint wild daffodils. The palettes were glowing with pale yellows and greens.

Just beginning to settle into a routine when the news of Covid 19 hit France and lockdown was announced on the 16th March. We were required by law to fill out an official form stating reasons for leaving home, time, date, distance etc. I was facing a new set of thoughts and emotions....along with the rest of the world population. 

I welcomed the walk beside rampaging river, carpets of wood anemones and celandines. It would take me a couple of hours round trip to the nearest town to the local mini supermarket. No longer able to trek off into the nature to paint, I began scouring the fruit and veg stalls for inspiration. As a colourist I was happy to see the bunches of vibrant radishes and the asparagus bound by vivid green elastic bands!

I had to mentally banish all thoughts of fear re the virus in order to stay positive and paint. The fact of not seeing anyone apart from the cashier and the odd dog walker made communication extra special. I looked forward to my weekly chat with Sarah Edmonds to discuss marketing ideas. In April I launched a new collection of greeting cards with the invaluable help from Satori Creative, website designer, Crockett Cresswell, Sarah Edmonds Marketing and Mark Parry, The Artist's Print Room.

I am waiting with baited breath for my paint order to arrive from the UK, Winsor & Newton gouache. I've been enjoying the St.Cuthberts watercolour blocks in the various sizes.

Wishing you joy and very good health. 

Sarah.

Bonjour Bonjour! Some of you who follow me on social media (Instagram or Facebook) may have noticed I'm once again on my travels.

I set off a couple of weeks ago from Craven Arms in Shropshire with a heavy suitcase and rucksack. I ended up having to pay for extra luggage, hardly surprising with so many sketchbooks.

I flew to Carcassonne and was greatly relieved to be met at the airport by my lovely friend. We drove southwest to the Ariège region of the Pyrenees.

Having arrived in the dark I had no idea what awaited me in the morning with the most spectacular view of snow capped mountains. I was totally in awe and couldn't wait to unpack the paint.

This was a 'first' for me and I felt quite intimidated by the enormity of the shapes and textures of the terrain.

I was keen to explore my immediate surroundings and get a feel for this remote part of the world. The light and nature is so uplifting. There's no shortage of inspiration with mistletoe on ancient trees and wildlife.

My friend discovered some Fly Agaric toadstools in one of their fields. I managed to clear a space by cutting through some of the thick briars in order to get as close to them as possible. I found an old tyre to sit on and relished in mixing the vibrant reds and scarlets.

I am looking forward to the coming weeks and sharing my paintings with you....have my eye on a creamy coloured donkey.......Bliss.