Sam’s stunning paintings depict the natural landscapes from which modern urban lifestyles are increasingly disconnected. Her work shares the positive power of nature on the human spirit and soul and reconnects us to nature and in turn promotes us to conserve and respect the wilderness.

We wanted to know more about what inspires Sam, so caught up with her recently to put her and her artwork under the Spotlight….

Carol: What is the inspiration behind your artwork and how does it relate to your pieces?

Sam: My work is about nature and explores our connection to it. Nature allows me to push the pause button on the craziness of modern life. I guess my love for the outdoors comes from me existing in a world that just does not quite fit with my natural pace and state of mind, it’s just a bit too fast and loud. Nature allows me a little solace and time to reset. There isn’t anything else like it for me, I find myself instantly relaxed, and intuitively I think I knew that nature was good for me. Maybe we all know this, and why nature now is so important for both our physical and mental health.

Carol: When did you know you were going to be an artist?

Sam: I’ve always been creative and making things, from toys to clothes, but in fact I originally wanted to be a natural history documentary maker, due to my love of the natural world and animals, in fact I still have a love for film and audio. It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s, after a trip to Scotland, that I started drawing more seriously with the introduction of landscape, and overnight my love for the outdoors finally was being reflected in my art. I think up until that point I had never quite found my focus with my art or even if I could see myself making it as a career. Nature had long been an escape for me and a place to reflect and be happy, and I wanted to share this feeling through my art. It really did just happen that quickly, one day I wasn’t drawing landscape and the next I was. Looking back now I’m surprised I never brought my two passion together. I really do believe that once I was just being myself with my art it took off.

Carol: What artist inspires you?

Sam: I love the work of Tacita Dean, and I’m always totally awe struck by the work Zaria Forman – I find inspiration in artist whose work explores our environment and those making waves towards utilising art to make actual change.

Though it is music composers, partially ambient, that inspire me and my work the most, such as the beautiful talents of Max Richter or Ólafur Arnalds, but there are so many that I love! These artists create beautifully ambient, moving and atmospheric work, that just help me further connect to our natural environment and the mood I’m trying to explore through my own work.

Carol: - How do you start your pieces?

Sam: Most of my work starts from a trip, a hike or walk. Usually I spend time in the field, taking in the great outdoors, sketching and taking photos. Then I take all that back to my studio.

Carol: Can you tell us about your process?

Sam: My work is created using pens, a mixture of alcohol-based markers, paint markers, felt tips, metallic pens, and fine liners. I use all brands as well as basic pens you can pick up at the supermarket. I find that one type of pen has never managed to give me all the subtlety I require so I like to mix the pens to make sure I get the right colour strength, texture and colour when working.

The work is inspired by both actual locations and imaginary, created directly in the environments or from photos in my studio.

Carol: How long does it take to complete a piece?

Sam: This depends, smaller pieces I can finish in a day, while the larger works can take weeks. Though it is quite hard to tell as I like to work on numerous pieces simultaneously to give some breathing space and reflection on the work as I go – so I never quite know how much time I spend on one piece.

Carol: What is your studio like and where is it?

Sam My studio is magical, it is a wooden building in my garden, which although not the biggest space has a wood burner and view of trees. It is a haven and I spend many hours getting distracted by the day-to-day routine of nature and watching the cheeky animals that walk by and peek into my window. I also have a converted camper van which is set up as a mobile studio so I can spend days/weeks away getting inspiration for my work.

Carol: What do you like doing when you are not creating?

Sam: I love animals so spend quite a lot of time looking after my pets, and if not that I love hiking, walking & running and just getting outside. Though I love settling in with a big mug of tea to watch a good film or documentary.

Detail of Scarfell Pike, Cumbria by Sam Gare

Carol: What is your perfect weekend?

Sam: I’m a bit of an old soul at heart, quite independent, and love the simpler things in life. So, a long walk on my own, or with my partner or a friend, followed by indulging in a huge amount of home cooked warming comfort food, like a stew (nothing beats the feeling of warm comfort food and the slightly achy and satisfied body after a long hike) followed by a good chats, good book, and general relaxing in front of a fire with a curled-up animal – bliss. If you haven’t guessed I love the colder months because of this.

Langdales by Blea Tarn, Cumbria by Sam Gare

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Artist In The Spotlight:.....Sam Gare

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