Ahead of her exhibition here at The Old Town Hall, Sally Evans shares with us her artistic journey. Sally with be display work alongside Dianne Fox from March 17 to March 21, in their exhibition Painters and Potters.
Painting and drawing have been passions of mine from an early age and provide a life long challenge of discovery!
I grew up in Hessle, East Yorkshire and loved art and sport at school. Scraper boards of animals was one of my early passions along with tennis.
I studied Art A level and gained a BA Hons. Degree in Textile Design/Fine Art at Leeds University, specialising in printing. Since then, art has been mainly a hobby fitted around a career in sport and health promotion.
Whilst studying at Leeds, I learnt about Trowbridge and it’s rich textile history…. Never thinking that one day I would move to the town!
I have used various mediums but specialized in watercolour painting. It is probably the most challenging and unforgiving medium, but I love the translucent quality for capturing the light. My subjects include animal portraits, wildlife, still life, landscapes, townscapes and seascapes.
Becoming an artist is an exciting journey. I have learnt from local landscape artist and teacher Steve Hall who works in the style of Edward Wesson. I love his simple loose style, which I have adopted in my work.
In 2011, I published my illustrated book – Reflections on a Secret Pond, which is a journey into the beauty of nature. The illustrations can be viewed on my website www.emperorbooksandart.com
I belong to the SAA and run beginner’s workshops and 1.1 tuition from my home in Hilperton near Trowbridge. Because I find painting so therapeutic, I enjoy inspiring others to have a go and embark on the exciting journey of discovery into the visual arts.
For several years I was a member of the Cloth Roads Committee organising an arts trail in West Wiltshire where I exhibited my own work.
I have also exhibited at the Oxford International Art Fair and show cased in the International Art Book
I was commissioned by Anka Bespoke in Corsham to produce wild life paintings for a luxury yacht. Unfortunately I havnt see them in situ but it’s exciting to know some of my work is sailing around the world!
Since retiring in 2020, I have had more time to explore other mediums including paper collage, printing and abstract acrylic. I intend to explore these further along with my new passion for pottery, having recently become a member at Marsh Farm Studios in Hilperton.
I love handbuilding organic forms and experimenting with different glazing techniques. Working with clay brings a new dimension to my creativity and a new challenge.
The artistic journey is never ending and I encourage everyone to have a go, whatever your age, even if you don’t think you have any artistic talent.
By Sally Evans