How a Cumbrian Artist is Supporting Animals With a Christmas Campaign
Cumbrian artist Sarah Taylor-Brown, known for her vibrant and energetic animal paintings, is launching a festive campaign to support much-loved local charity, Eden Animal Rescue
Sarah grew up in west Cumbria on the edge of the Lake District, where she spent a lot of time outdoors. ‘As a kid I always wanted to work with animals or be an artist and now in my own way I get to do both, which is pretty cool,’ she says. She now lives in St Bees with her wife Anna and two cats, Ziggy and Lyra. ‘I’m one of those (probably embarrassing) people that can’t walk past an animal out on a walk without saying hello to them,’ she laughs. ‘Sheep, dogs, cows, squirrels… anything we meet!’
After studying art at Cleveland College of Art and Design (now The Northern School of Art) in the mid-‘90s, she went on to complete a degree in photography in Nottingham. ‘I always knew I’d work in the creative sector, but it’s funny how life turns out,’ she says, having worked in the Alps after uni. Not exactly a direct route, but it lead her to her childhood dream – becoming a professional artist. ‘I painted in my spare time, and a lucky break with a stag piece that went viral 10 years ago gave me the courage to quit my job and pursue this full time,’ she adds.
Sarah says she makes art for people like her, who love animals, but who want something a bit different and more edgy. She describes her creations as ‘vibrant, quirky, animal art that’s bursting with personality’. ‘I capture two kinds of magic: the unconditional love from dogs and other pets, and the sense of awe and wonder we feel with wildlife,’ she says. ‘My paintings bring a connection with animals whenever you need it – imagine the cuddles and conversations you'd love to have with that Highland cow in the field up the road, or the stag deep in the forest. That's the magic my art brings to your space.’
She begins with layers of ink splashed, blown and pushed around the surface to build up the basic shapes and structure of the animal. ‘The ink is transparent, so the layering really builds some body into the piece,’ she explains. ‘I spend a lot of time focusing on the eyes, these are the most important part as they are a window to the soul and where the subject comes alive. I make finishing touches with sections of hand-painted geometric patterns that weave in and out of the piece and bring a spark of energy and unexpected movement.’
At Christmastime, Sarah usually donates to a couple of local animal charities, but this year she wanted to make a bigger difference by fundraising with her art. ‘I have nearly 100 different dog and cat paintings, and I know they make great presents for animal lovers, something really different and a real hit especially if you can find one in my collection that looks like your fur baby,’ she says. So Sarah is donating 10 percent of all sales between now and the end of the year to Eden Animal Rescue near Penrith. ‘They have a large fundraising project at the moment to build new kennel facilities at their site,’ she says. ‘When I saw that, I knew I could help! We actually took in a rescue cat from Eden Animal Rescue back in 2018; Frankie became a large part of our family and really helped me get through a tough time after the death of my sister. That’s what animals do isn’t it, they just know what you need?’
Eden Animal Rescue was set up in 1995 by a group of friends to help rehome dogs and cats. It grew steadily and moved to rented property but demand and the needs of the residents soon outstripped the facilities. Three decades later the new Kennel Block was completed and formally opened in May this year, but the fundraising continues to cover the extra costs and the charity are working hard to hit a target of £500,000. Sarah hopes to help with her Christmas campaign.
Meanwhile, Sarah is working on a commission of a border collie, she’s in the early stages of a wolf, and looking ahead to a big birthday next year. ‘I’m hoping to interject some fun adventures into the year ahead,’ she says. ‘I always say I need to work less and play more so next year I will actually do that! On the horizon as far as the art goes, I’m hoping to partner up with a wildlife rescue/conservation charity to develop a new collection of work. I have plans for a new collection of Highland cows, and slots are filling up fast for custom paintings, so I’ll be kept busy.’
To help with fundraising and to find a special gift for the animal lover in your life visit sarahtaylorart.com/collections/eden-animals.
What advice would you give budding artists?
Find your own style, just keep experimenting until you find that magic spark to call your own.
Is there an item you couldn’t live without?
A hair dryer for blowing paint and speeding up my paintings a lot!
... and a book you recommend?
Still Life by Sarah Winman, a beautiful story about life, art, love and loss – such a well written book, I just loved it!
Where's your happy place in the North?
Swimming in Wast Water – being in the lake gives a whole other perspective with stunning reflections at surface level, sometimes it’s like swimming in a painting.
