Sarah grew up in the western lake district in the village of Gosforth, she developed her artistic talent throughout her years at Wyndham School, where her creativity was nurtured and inspired by the late Alistair Fletcher. In 1994 she followed her dream to art college in the North East and then on to Nottingham Trent University to do a degree in Photography and Digital Imaging.

Needless to say, on graduating, Sarah realised her earlier desires of a career as a photographer were somewhat over-ridden by opportunities to travel and work abroad, which meant skiing and snowboarding a lot, for free. The snow won.  

5 years later Sarah returned to the uk and set up her own clothing company, willinilli ltd. After 4 years of successful trading Sarah took the decision to bring willinilli to a halt so that she could concentrate on creative work. “Willinilli was a great experience, but I just got bored with all the paper work and having to worry about banks, invoices, and tax returns.”Sarah worked as a graphic designer for 2 years, before taking her current role developing new products at Derwent pencils. Working with artists materials at work , gives her plenty of enthusiasm to get the paint brushes out at home to create some new work. Sarah also enjoys photography, illustration and digital imaging.

The source of Sarah's inspiration is evident in her work, sarah has created a unique style of painting that heavily draws on her graphic illustration skills and photographic compositioning.

“Having grown up in the mountains it would be impossible not to be influenced by the wonderful natural beauty of the Lake District. I love having fun when I paint, embracing the qualities that different mediums offer, ink that splashes and seeps, paint that’s vibrant and  deep. I like taking risks and experimenting and letting  the medium make it’s own mark on the piece, it makes me smile when splashes hit the canvas  not exactly where I thought- hey ho, a more natural, less forced kind of effect. It’s out of my hands a little bit, and I like that. In a way that reflects the way I see the Lake District, it’s not that picture postcard perfect place. It’s wild, and untamed, and exciting.”

Vital statistics- Born: 1st May 1976 - eyes:blue - height:180cm - favourite colour:bright red or pea green - favourite drink:A pint of Yates"Fever Pitch"

Likes: Hill walking, trail running, cycling, real ale, jazz, ice cream, grapes, amaretto, Oktoberfest, Withnail&I, trumpet, the beach, roast lamb, kittens, snow. Dislikes: Middle lane drivers, liver, bad design, beer that tastes like loose change, big spiders, snobbery, out of tune instruments, whiskey, jellyfish, being tidy.