Your Home, Naturally Beautiful: Hand-Painted Originals & Fine Art Prints Bringing Joy Through Watercolour
Welcome to Sarah Gough Art: Where Nature's Story Unfolds Through Watercolour
As a watercolour artist, my inspiration is deeply rooted in the enchanting woodlands surrounding my home, nestled on the borders of Yorkshire and Derbyshire in England, right on the doorstep of the majestic Peak District National Park. My creativity is intrinsically woven with my family and a lifelong love for nature, leading me to create artwork that celebrates the profound beauty of the natural world – from serene bluebell woods and evocative landscapes to intricate floral and botanical pieces, captivating illustrations, and vibrant cityscapes.
My connection to nature, you see, began remarkably early. I fondly recall my childhood in the early 1970s, a toddler often found bundled in layers of mismatched clothing, blissfully unaware of the chill in my parents' vegetable garden. It was there, amidst the rich, fertile earth, that a deep-seated penchant for discovery and adventure truly blossomed. I’d gleefully plop myself down, delighting in the sensory joy of crafting all kinds of 'earth pies' from the treasures I found around me. This was a time of simple pleasures and innocent exploration, where our garden in Ashford, Kent, was my boundless playground, and nature, an endless source of exciting wonder. Being outdoors, up close and personal with every facet of nature, was always my favourite place to be.
I even found companionship in the most unlikely of inhabitants – from cabbage butterflies, slugs, and snails, to worms and centipedes! It was in those fully-absorbed, carefree moments that the worms, in particular, became my curious playmates, their squirming bodies offering both amusement and, I’ll admit, a fleeting culinary curiosity! Another profound passion was the compost heap. My grandparents had a huge, open one at their home in Leeds, which they’d allow me to forage in under close supervision – a veritable treasure trove of broken eggshells, cabbage stalks, and vegetable peelings. Their second, smaller heap, tucked beneath old carpet or rugs, held even more allure. It was warm, alive, and regularly visited by 'my' tame families of sparrows and robins, who often joined me on my digs for buried wonders! This felt like another world, often accompanied by the gentle sounds of my grandad, and sometimes my grandma, busying themselves nearby, whistling softly as they dug, planted, and pruned. They'd share charming ditties and stories of their modest garden, where they grew all their own produce, and even whisper about the old Anderson Shelter hidden beneath grandad's potting shed.
When the weather kept me indoors, my hands instinctively reached for pencils and crayons. I'd spend hours copying, drawing, sketching, and colouring from books, magazines, and comics. I particularly cherished visits to my grandma, where a brand new colouring book, always bought from Leeds Kirkgate Market, would await me on the arm of the small sofa by the welcoming open fireplace, ready for us to colour in together. A pivotal moment arrived in 1976 when I received my precious set of Usborne 'Nature Trail' books. I was utterly thrilled! They were brimming with ALL THINGS NATURE, and even today, decades later, those very books sit proudly on my studio bookshelf, still serving as cherished references.
This lifelong connection to the natural world and a childhood steeped in observation directly fuels my art today. I strive to translate the vibrant essence of nature onto paper, using watercolour's unique luminosity to capture the intricate details and broad strokes of the landscapes and flora that inspire me.
About My Stationery Sets:
Beyond my original paintings and fine art prints, I pour the same dedication into my stationery sets. Each one is a true work of craftsmanship, meticulously created by hand from start to finish, by me. I personally design and draw the artwork, then bring it to life with watercolour painting. Each piece is carefully scanned and printed at home on luxurious laid papers, complemented by hand-lined, premium luxury envelopes (heavier at 120gsm). Every set is then hand-finished with accessories and thoughtfully placed into an eco-friendlier glassine paper envelope. There are no digital enhancements or AI influences here – just pure artistry in every detail – ensuring each set is as unique and personal as the original artwork itself.
If you've taken the time to read this far, then my heartfelt thanks to you! I sincerely hope my Etsy shop, Sarah Gough Art, or my website www.sarahgoughart.com (also powered by Etsy) will inspire you and bring a piece of nature's joy into your life.
Kind wishes, Sarah
As a watercolour artist, my inspiration is deeply rooted in the enchanting woodlands surrounding my home, nestled on the borders of Yorkshire and Derbyshire in England, right on the doorstep of the majestic Peak District National Park. My creativity is intrinsically woven with my family and a lifelong love for nature, leading me to create artwork that celebrates the profound beauty of the natural world – from serene bluebell woods and evocative landscapes to intricate floral and botanical pieces, captivating illustrations, and vibrant cityscapes.
My connection to nature, you see, began remarkably early. I fondly recall my childhood in the early 1970s, a toddler often found bundled in layers of mismatched clothing, blissfully unaware of the chill in my parents' vegetable garden. It was there, amidst the rich, fertile earth, that a deep-seated penchant for discovery and adventure truly blossomed. I’d gleefully plop myself down, delighting in the sensory joy of crafting all kinds of 'earth pies' from the treasures I found around me. This was a time of simple pleasures and innocent exploration, where our garden in Ashford, Kent, was my boundless playground, and nature, an endless source of exciting wonder. Being outdoors, up close and personal with every facet of nature, was always my favourite place to be.
I even found companionship in the most unlikely of inhabitants – from cabbage butterflies, slugs, and snails, to worms and centipedes! It was in those fully-absorbed, carefree moments that the worms, in particular, became my curious playmates, their squirming bodies offering both amusement and, I’ll admit, a fleeting culinary curiosity! Another profound passion was the compost heap. My grandparents had a huge, open one at their home in Leeds, which they’d allow me to forage in under close supervision – a veritable treasure trove of broken eggshells, cabbage stalks, and vegetable peelings. Their second, smaller heap, tucked beneath old carpet or rugs, held even more allure. It was warm, alive, and regularly visited by 'my' tame families of sparrows and robins, who often joined me on my digs for buried wonders! This felt like another world, often accompanied by the gentle sounds of my grandad, and sometimes my grandma, busying themselves nearby, whistling softly as they dug, planted, and pruned. They'd share charming ditties and stories of their modest garden, where they grew all their own produce, and even whisper about the old Anderson Shelter hidden beneath grandad's potting shed.
When the weather kept me indoors, my hands instinctively reached for pencils and crayons. I'd spend hours copying, drawing, sketching, and colouring from books, magazines, and comics. I particularly cherished visits to my grandma, where a brand new colouring book, always bought from Leeds Kirkgate Market, would await me on the arm of the small sofa by the welcoming open fireplace, ready for us to colour in together. A pivotal moment arrived in 1976 when I received my precious set of Usborne 'Nature Trail' books. I was utterly thrilled! They were brimming with ALL THINGS NATURE, and even today, decades later, those very books sit proudly on my studio bookshelf, still serving as cherished references.
This lifelong connection to the natural world and a childhood steeped in observation directly fuels my art today. I strive to translate the vibrant essence of nature onto paper, using watercolour's unique luminosity to capture the intricate details and broad strokes of the landscapes and flora that inspire me.
About My Stationery Sets:
Beyond my original paintings and fine art prints, I pour the same dedication into my stationery sets. Each one is a true work of craftsmanship, meticulously created by hand from start to finish, by me. I personally design and draw the artwork, then bring it to life with watercolour painting. Each piece is carefully scanned and printed at home on luxurious laid papers, complemented by hand-lined, premium luxury envelopes (heavier at 120gsm). Every set is then hand-finished with accessories and thoughtfully placed into an eco-friendlier glassine paper envelope. There are no digital enhancements or AI influences here – just pure artistry in every detail – ensuring each set is as unique and personal as the original artwork itself.
If you've taken the time to read this far, then my heartfelt thanks to you! I sincerely hope my Etsy shop, Sarah Gough Art, or my website www.sarahgoughart.com (also powered by Etsy) will inspire you and bring a piece of nature's joy into your life.
Kind wishes, Sarah