Sarah Raiton
Artwork for Sarah Raiton
Details
How would you describe the work you do and why?
I was born and brought up in Norfolk, UK and also spent some years living in the North of England and more recently, in the South West of France. Living in these very different landscapes, and often at distance from friends and family, has created an underlying running thread of sense of place and connection in my artwork. I am consistently brought back to the natural landscape around me to ground me and inspire my work and so quite often my work depicts abstract landscapes and seascapes. I'm interested in the imperfection and impermanence of things, the organic lines and textures, their history and the stories they tell. I try to bring this into my work using layers or broken line and inquisitive mark making. Working in mixed media, for me, includes pastels, collage, charcoal and sometimes even incorporates print making alongside paint. Working in this varied way gives me the freedom to create interesting marks and texture and adds to the atmosphere and expressive nature of the work.
For you what does being an artist mean?:
For me, being an artist is not what I do, but who I am. I have always drawn, painted, made things, 'created'. Making art for me is a form of processing my responses to my interactions, situations and environment and has also been a tool I have used to help and support others. Creating art is my way of holding onto moments in time and connecting with others. I hope that sharing my work with others continues this connection and carries the story of these moments on.
Describe what you call yourself/your practice?:
Predominantly a painter, I create expressive mixed media landscape paintings full of light, texture and movement in response to the natural environment around me.
Your practice & activities include e.g workshops, teaching:
Currently working part time on my Art practice from my home studio in Herefordshire, UK.
I have previously facilitated creative sessions with a variety of art materials in both the mental health sector (UK) and the primary school education setting in France. The purpose of these sessions was, in part, to foster self expression, well-being, confidence and to build relationships. This is something a strongly believe in and hope to develop further into my career as an artist in the future.
CV & Education, relevant & leading to your artistic practice:
2003 - 2006 - BA Fine Art - Sheffield Hallam University
2006 - Foundation Course in Art Therapy – Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
2009 - 2012 - BA Mental Health Nursing Sheffield Hallam University
2014 - 2016 - CMHN – Facilitator of Creative Space supportive Art Group for service users.
2021 - 2022 - Montessori Teaching Assistant – Art and English Language - Mon Ecole Montessori - Verrières, France.
Your gallery outlets/stockists:
sarahraitonart.co.uk
sarahraitonart.folksy.com