Welcome to our latest Meet the Maker, featuring our newest resident artist, Sara Wibberley.
Here at épanoui we love to discover new artists and the stories behind their work. Sara is a local emerging painter who finds solace and comfort from everyday objects and the small, joyful things in life. She believes that every object has a story to tell and is inspired by the beauty and simplicity of their shapes.
Sara creates her textural still life paintings by building layers of paint, using a minimal palette, whilst allowing the history of previous layers to show through. Alongside her paintings, Sara also produces delicate dry point etchings.
Her work has already been a big hit in the shop, and we’re thrilled to have her as part of the épanoui community.
Grab a cuppa and read on to find out more about Sara.
Can you offer us a little glimpse into your daily routine?
Making art is not my full time job. I have been a primary school teacher for the last 28 years so my daily routine is very busy indeed, with an early start when my alarm goes off at 6am. I get into school most days by around 7.40am and then get home around 4.30/5pm. By then I am pretty tired and probably have school work to do. Therefore I relax and unwind by creating artworks usually on a Friday night or at the weekends.
What made you start your creative business?
I have always loved art, studying it at both GCSE and A Level standard at school, many years ago. I love visiting art galleries and have quite a collection of art books on my shelves at home. When we went into the first Covid lockdown, I found myself with some time on my hands and the weather was beautiful so I enjoyed sitting out in the garden and sketching and painting the wildflowers. This reignited my passion for painting and I haven’t stopped since then!
Do you have any exciting projects in the pipeline?
This year has been a very successful year for me with my art. I post regularly on my Instagram account @sjwart2022 and it has been through this that I have been contacted by various galleries and am now represented by a gallery in Cornwall and have artworks on show in a gallery in Hampton Court. I have also exhibited at the Battersea Affordable Art Fair. I have been fortunate to sell quite a few artworks through the above. I am excited to see what 2026 has in store for me 😊
Now for a few quick fire questions...
Happiness is… the following list will sound very twee but I make no apologies for them as they are what make me very happy indeed! - sun rises, sunsets, rainbows, birdsong, smell of coffee, lit candles, roaring fires, woolly jumpers and socks, a good book, smell of wood smoke, walking in nature, time spent with my sons, my husband cooking the dinner on a Friday night, a good night’s sleep, laughing with friends, peace and quiet.
The song to get me on the dance floor is… my dancing on a dance floor days are behind me (I prefer being curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine or a nice cup of tea) however I did go to a Levellers concert in London a few years ago and danced the whole night long. Their music is so energetic and I knew all the words, I just couldn’t stop myself from bouncing around. Luckily we were at the back of the standing area so we had lots of room. Ha ha.
I’m most proud of… my two sons.
My dream dinner guests would be (dead or alive)… I like people that have a slightly wacky sense of humour so maybe someone like Bob Mortimer or Bjork. However, I would give anything to see my Italian Auntie Zia Elisa one more time and give her a big hug. I miss her.
I’d be lost without… my husband. We met when I was 20, we have been together for 30 years. My best friend and soul mate.
If I could tell my younger self one thing it would be… to stick up for yourself and be happy with who you are 😊
You can shop a collection of Sara's original pieces at our Bedfordshire our shop & studio.
Follow @sjwart2022 on Instagram to keep up with her latest creations.
