BIO: Sarah Papworth
“….I found solace in the natural world”
I was born and raised in Surrey, where rows of semi-detached houses provided the backdrop to my childhood. While climbing trees in the garden, and the local woodlands, I found solace in the natural world.
Twelve years ago while living in London, my partner and I decided to move to a converted barn along the North Cotswolds border. Nestled in the village of Honeybourne where three shires meet; Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. It became a different way of life.
“I embaRked on a career as a Homeware Designer”
My dedication to art during my school years led me to Winchester School of Art. It was during my foundation year that I made a pivotal decision, transitioning from my initial pursuit of Fine Art to the world of Textile Design. I had an equal love for pattern and painting and although I loved the expressionists from a young age, I found myself not quite prepared for the seemingly vulnerable world of fine art. I preferred creating in the solitude of my home, where my creative energies could unfurl without distraction and I could truly be present with my work.
After achieving a First Class Honors degree in Printed Textiles, I embarked on a career as a Homeware Designer in the heart of London. Eight years down the road, my health turned, a long undiagnosed condition of endometriosis took its toll and I had to look at slowing down and getting the help I needed.
Freelancing was a dream of mine and it made sense to make the move to the West Midlands at the same time. I began to receive more illustration projects and a defining moment in my career was co-winning the Global Talent Search competition with Lilla Rogers’ Agency. This enabled me to collaborate with clients such as The Washington Post, Harper Collins, and Simon & Schuster. I was also proud to be shortlisted twice for the World Illustration Awards in 2020.
With newfound freedom in my schedule, I reignited my exploration of fine art, this time at my own unhurried pace paying attention to my body and what I needed in the moment.
“I enjoy the two ways of working, they balance and fuel each other.”
My connection to nature plays a central role in my artistic process, a connection fostered through long walks and invigorating wild swims. Nature’s influence often infiltrates my work on a subconscious level, leaving an imprint on my work. I work intuitively on original paintings, while more planning is needed for illustration work. I enjoy the two ways of working, they balance and fuel each other. Artists who influence me in the way they abstract are; Picasso, Diebenkorn, Eardley, Mitchell and Bonnard. Working abstractly I need to be fully present; looking and building the acrylic layers, textures and shapes, sometimes destroying then building again. They aren’t just layers of paint to me but layers of emotions and thoughts. Sometimes I work in oils and often add in mixed media for texture and line details. A pictorial element may start to show, and I will go with that if it feels right to me. I often feel I’m led through making a piece, all I have to do is be present in the moment.
Working on illustrations, my subject matter is more varied although still nature and lifestyle inspired. Making a planned sketch puts me in a more meditative frame of mind as I can relax into colours and textures of creating the final work. I enjoy working digitally, I mix in hand-painted icons, textures and line-work.
My motivation is the creative journey and my interest lies in how I connect to my thoughts and emotions while creating and how that in turn connects with my audience. In a world where there is so much rushing, I have allowed myself the gift of space to create my personal work. The result always surprises me by how much it mirrors who I am.
CLIENTS INCLUDE:
The Washington Post, Harper Collins, Scholastic UK Publishing, Quarto Publishing Group UK, Simon & Schuster, MADE.com, L'Oreal Paris, George at Home ASDA, Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, Debenhams, The White Company, Workman Publishing, American Greetings, Mollie Makes magazine, Martine Rothblatt, among others.
Lilla Rogers Studio is Sarah’s Illustration agent, based in the USA. Please contact Sarah or the Studio if you would like her to work with you on any illustration or surface design projects. Contact agents Susan and Kim: susan@lillarogers.com, kim@lillarogers.com. Contact Sarah: sarah@sarahpapworth.com
Sarah has an online art course, available for beginners and intermediate levels, called the Hermit Art Club. It’s available here on: Podia.com.
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WEBINART
Click below to go to the Webinart video with Sarah and her agent Lilla Rogers (68 mins)
PRESS
Below is a selection of magazine features and product mentions. Artists & Illustrators magazine, WGSN, Country Homes & Interiors, Trend Bible interior trend forecasting, Tuinieren magazine, Folksy, Craftsy magazine, Fabulous magazine, and Good Homes.
In addition to the below, my past in-house Homeware designs have appeared in: House Beautiful, Country Homes & Interiors, Homes & Gardens, Simple Things, Living Etc, The Sunday Mirror ‘Homes’ magazine, Good Housekeeping, Ideal Home, Prima, Best magazine, and Good Homes magazine.
