Sally Barnett's artwork first featured in the original Dark Lane magazine. Her stunning illustrations have since graced all volumes of the anthology series. To see more of her work visit her website www.sallybarnett.co.uk
Q: What are your working
methods? Do you sit down every day to
work? Do you have a designated place to
work?
A: I have a long term and short term
plan, always on the go and changing all the time. But on a daily basis, I
attack my emails first, every morning, sat in my kitchen with my laptop; dog on
one side, bowl of cereal on the other. Then I set myself a list of things I
need to produce that day from my list for that month. To escape from the
housework I walk down to the garden shed; this is my studio. It isn’t so much a
shed, more of a small stable block with a carpet. but no horses. But it is
where I do all my drawing, printing, painting, priming, sanding, etc. But if it
is too cold outside, I sit in the living room with my art-pad and my dog sat on
my feet.
Q: Tell us about one of your
favourite artworks and why you like it (not one of your own).
A: The hairs on the back of my neck
bristled and time stopped right there, the first time I saw ‘Some Roses and
their Phantoms’, an oil painting by Dorothea Tanning. It disturbed me and that
was why I really liked it. I felt it was telling me, ‘I know you’. It was like
someone painting a feeling from my childhood that only I knew about. It
reminded me of the curtains that used to be in my bedroom when I was little.
The curtain pattern was of deep red and black flowers or swirls I think, but
very abstract. At night, the curtains became alive; deep caverns where lots of
figures moved about; people’s faces looking out, so quietly. And the cupboard
in the corner of my bedroom?... don’t get me started on that. lol
Q: Tell us about one of your
favourite artwork (done by you).
A: I drew a picture of a landscape
after my sister died, to process my emotions at that sad time and even though I
feel I have drawn more accomplished work, it is this picture that I am most
connected to and fond of. The image is of mountains, hills, trees and flowers
but there are lots of things (animals) hidden and symbolism within the image.
One of those images that you can look at and see something different each time
you view it.
Q: Where do your ideas come
from? Do you go looking for ideas – for
example by brainstorming, or do you wait for inspiration?
A: I draw from emotions within a
story or circumstance and find the visual inside it. I find this an easy part
of the process. There is also a lot of research involved because I like my work
to be as informed as possible.
If I have a commission and there is a strict
brief, I make sure I achieve everything within the brief but also add an
element of me within it, in order to create something both my client and I are
proud of.
Q: Are you a full-time artist? If
you have another job, what is it and would you like to become a full-time
artist if you could?
A: I work freelance part-time as an
Illustrator and Designer, whilst also managing a long term health condition. I
have learnt how to focus my capabilities on design work that I enjoy, which has
in turn allowed me to create a more meaningful and bespoke business for my
clients and myself.
I am self taught in web design
and have a few ongoing clients, which helps financially. I miss my old job as a
highway engineer, but I cannot return to the engineering industry right now
because of my health.
Q: What is the most difficult part
of your creative process?
A: I enjoy my work. It does not feel
like work because I have loved illustration and design since I was little. It
only becomes work and so difficult to endure, if I take on work that does not
fuel my passion. I use mind-maps and
other similar design theories to help me come up with draft ideas. I know how
to get myself out of ‘creative block’. I know when to put the pen down. I nurture
my passion by attending art exhibitions or illustration and design events. I
keep scrapbooks and sketch every day. Being creative is not difficult.
Q: If you could go back in time,
what would you say to your younger self about becoming an artist?
A: Never give up; never think you
cannot do something; always believe in yourself and others will follow; listen
to others and learn from them. Be inspired!
