Sara Jones

Sara has had a talent for drawing since she was 4 years old and could hold a pen. Growing up Sara spent a lot of time teaching herself drawing skills. She draws mainly portraits and fashion type illustrations, using bright colours for a striking effect. She has taken formal classes in life drawing and studied art. She uses watercolour and ink and takes her inspiration from other genres such as Pop Art, vintage fashion magazines and eras such as the 1950’s and 1960’s.

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During lockdown Sara spent time drawing and painting and now has a large portfolio of work. Sara is really passionate about encouraging others to paint as she feels it really helps your mental health. She suffers from anxiety and uses painting and drawing as therapy. Sara spent the whole of lockdown on her own, in a flat, with no garden. She would experience extreme fear and panic attacks and really needed something positive to get through the dark times.

Her depression and anxiety caused her to avoid going outdoors during the pandemic. She practises “art journaling”, which involves painting in a journal to focus her mind away from negative thoughts.

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She used lockdown as an opportunity to really practice her skills while she was alone. She has focused on bright colours and painting beautiful things instead of watching the news. She spent each day drawing and painting, usually human figures.

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Emotions are something she channels into her work. She has painted a woman crying to represent the pain of having Fibromyalgia, people often say they can see her in her work.

Sara has advice for anyone who believes they have no talent and that is to believe in themselves. They may have been told by others that they can’t do things. Her advice is to “try not to compare yourself to others, there is only you, everyone is unique and has something to offer. Talent comes with patience and practice, not just being born with a skill”.

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Sara suggests those who want to start doing art, start with a sketchbook. Nobody even needs to see it. It can be entirely personal and contain whatever they wish. Sara highly recommends watercolours and encourages any creative activity as it really helps wellbeing.

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You can see more of Sara’s work on her Instagram page sara_fashion_illustration. We think she most definitely has a talent and love the fact she has highlighted how art can be therapeutic and can help people’s mental health.