Sara Winfield

Image: Sara Winfield Photographer: Hannah Jones Keeper Creative

Welcoming Sara Winfield in our latest TGD Friends Q+A!

hello! welcome to the TGD friends series! can you tell us what it is you create?

I create abstract paintings using acrylics, oils and oil sticks. My works on canvas are an adventure into perceptible sensory engagement, exploring the meeting point where colour, emotion and the natural world intersect.

how would you describe your style?

I have a tiered approach to style. The foundations are always earthy, textural and neutral. The middle layer has soft and harmonious tones and is generally very feminine. And final tier is a pop, spark or moment of excitement. I apply this to the paintings I create, my interior selections and wardrobe.

Image: Women, Roots & All No.9 painting by Sara Winfield

Image: Sara Winfield Photographer: Hannah Jones

share with us a bit about your journey and how you got started.

I initially studied fashion design out of high school, but ended up only attending my painting and drawing classes, so dropped out after two years. I began painting, which at the time was heavily influenced by my fashion studies. I made a name for myself creating ‘Girl’ characters for children’s interiors, while simultaneously producing a swimwear line, which I only ran for a season. After a few years I felt pulled to create work that felt more reflective of who I am and move away from the commercial side of art, which has lead me to abstract painting. Throughout this journey I had a lot of side jobs, such as FIFO mining work, making hospital beds, nannying and retail. I think it’s important to share this because younger artists wondering how people got where they are should be encouraged to maintain consistent side jobs to support their practise until no longer necessary.

what’s one of your favourite moments in your creative career so far?

My favourite moment is ongoing. It’s simply the fact that I have persisted in this incredibly challenging job. I have made wonderful connections with notable clients and have produced collections for wellness spaces and hotels.

But my favourite ‘moment’ is being able to continue my practise and maintain a studio, producing work that reflects how I see the world.

Image: Women, Roots & All No.3 painting by Sara Winfield

who are the designers/creatives inspiring you right now?

Inspiring artists are Daisy Pariss, Jack Kabangu, Rachel Jones, Thai Mainhard. I love the designs and company ethos of fashion brand Story MFG. This is a hard question, I could list so many people and businesses. Generally I just find anyone doing anything creative as a job a massive feat because it’s extremely hard to maintain and you use so much of your soul in these industries.

describe to us your perfect day.

Our household wakes after 6am and everyone has slept through the night. We whisk our daughter off to daycare and I exercise, then walk to work. (It’s sunny and beautiful and the river is still.) I spend 5-6 hours in the studio, creating paintings without interruption. I don’t spend long on my phone that day.

I leave the studio, picking up something for dinner on the walk home. I collect Yuki from daycare and we hang out in the cubby in the evening. After dinner I run through some emails and pour over Pinterest while having a tea, chocolate and all the vitamins I’m supposed to take each day. All simple things but I love routine, painting, my daughter and small moments of joy.

Image: Sara Winfield Photographer: Hannah Jones Keeper Creative

Thank you so much for joining us!

We have been huge fans of Sara’s work for years now and are thrilled to have her join us at TGD. Check out more of Sara’s work here.

All images courtesy of Sara Winfield Photographer: Hannah Jones Keeper Creative