Sally Bramble
Sally was born in London and lived in Islington.
“My cousin lived 3 doors up so we were brought up like twins for a few years. My Dad was an architect and Mum was a nurse. We moved to Somerset when I was 5 and lived in a tiny, thatched cottage in a hamlet, with goats and chickens - the nearest shop was 2 miles away.
We had no TV until I was 14, so me and my sister were very creative at entertaining ourselves. We lived ‘the good life’ which sounds idyllic, but I was always a city girl and longed to be a part of things. Village life was very isolating and as a teenager I was just desperate to get out into the world.
Going to art college to study fashion design was life changing for me. To be able to be creative all day with other like- minded people was the best. I left home at 16 and went to live in my nan’s house on my own as she had moved to a nursing home. I had a whole house to myself which was a bit of an error of judgement on my parents’ part (parties) and I was swiftly taken back home.
I moved to London at 18 to study at The London College of Fashion and met a new group of friends. We all shared various flats in the same house and eventually all ended up in Flat 6 (14 of us in a 2 bedroomed flat) with mattresses on every inch of floor. It was the best fun and I met some lifelong friends.”
Did you make art as a child?
I was a very quiet child (believe it or not) and art was the thing that I got the most confidence from. It was always my strongest subject at school but not enough to stand out from the crowd. It was only when I left school that I began to be myself and that was all down to finding my tribe. Then there was no stopping me. I was still the weird kid, but this time in a good way.
What is your earliest memory associated with art?
Drawing people with dots for hair!
We went to museums but not art galleries. I didn’t have inspiring art teachers until college, so art was always my private thing. Just something I did in my room. Once I got into music I drew portraits of pop stars – Adam Ant, Debbie Harry and other 80’s wonders.
Who or what has had the most significant influence on you as an artist?
I was always fascinated by my Great Auntie Ruth who had the most fabulous dress sense. She wore piles of gold bling with velvet suits and platform shoes, even when she was in her 70’s/80’s. She was the original Iris Apfel.
When I was 20 I met a friend who had a massive impact on me creatively. We travelled to Australia together and lived there for a year and then again, shared flats in London, Birmingham and travelled around Europe, camping with no tent, just a tarp. We were incurably creative together, not just with art (he was the best cartoonist) but we wrote songs, film scripts, made up characters for ourselves to be at parties. We found each other hilarious. He allowed me to fully express my creativity for the first time in whatever form it took.
Nowadays my daughter is the person who I ask for advice on my paintings and ideas. We often bounce ideas off each other. She also has the art bug. She has always been surrounded by art.
Please can you describe your practice for us.
I have been painting since 2005 and used acrylics at first, in a very textural, abstract way. I did a 2-day course in 2006, on how to use Encaustic wax. This was delivered by R&F paints who make the paints in the US. I fell in love with this luscious medium and have never looked back. I am a mixed media artist, but I always include encaustic. I am obsessed with botanical and florals currently and always use buckets of colour and a bit of sparkle. Encaustic with hologram pigments has become my trademark.
What is your artist muse? Your inspiration.
Van Gogh was my first artist love (the movement and colour). Other ‘greats’ that I love are – Yayoi Kusama (the infinity rooms!), Howard Hodgkin (just gorgeous colour and construction), Lucian Freud (those HUGE ugly/beautiful bodies) and Mark Rothko (I will never forget the impact of the Rothko room at Tate Modern)
But as a teenager living in a little village, I was fascinated by the London club glitterati such as Boy George, Leigh Bowery (Lucian Freud muse) and Trojan. They were so utterly creative that their whole existence was an art form. It was a lifestyle with no boundaries. Once I moved to London, I embraced the LGBTQ club scene and community with all of its vibrance and acceptance. This was where I felt most at home and comfortable. London was where I finally ‘arrived’.
I have always loved to travel and am constantly gathering inspiration to take home with me. I got the travel bug from my first trip to Australia and have tried to get the backpack on every couple of years. I’m lucky in that I have loved everywhere I have travelled to especially SE Asia – Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia. But also, India, Cuba and Bolivia. I would love to visit every country but am also drawn back to the wonderful places I’ve been.
In my head I am always creating, even if I am having a conversation with you.
What motivates you?
When it comes to my art, I really don’t need any motivation. The issue for me is that I can’t do it 24/7.
The only time I have had artists block was during lockdown 1 when it felt too frivolous and self-indulgent. That lasted 3 months and then charged into a prolific period of joyful florals.
What in your opinion is the best thing about being an artist?
The feeling of excitement when I get an idea, the pride I feel when I’ve created a beaut and the feeling when someone loves my art.
And the worst..!?
When it goes wrong after hours of work.
I must admit the grind of social media can be hard work. I’m not natural at putting myself ‘out there’ so I find that a chore.
Please could you tell us about the piece of artwork you are most proud of, and why.
Usually my latest piece. I feel that the work I’ve done over the last year finally represents ‘me’. I would wear my artwork it’s so me!
How did you feel when you were confirmed as a Pure artist in residence at Bannatyne Spa Hotel?
Fabulous! Especially to be the first, as Lesley must really trust me to get my arse in gear!
It’s so good to be a part of this lovely art community. I have never found a group like it before and wish I had earlier.
What are your goals for the residency?
I will be out in the grounds gathering inspiration and sketching. On the 3rd April I will be doing a talk on my process, showing a video of my process and a workshop on how I find inspiration.
Oh and I will be having a sauna and spa pamper sesh too!
What would be a perfect outcome for you?
A sell out show, lots of interest from local galleries and buyers! Obvs.
A good working relationship with my fellow Pure artists and sharing of ideas over a glass of fizz.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to make a living out of art?
Do it in any way that feels right for you. There’s no rush but you do need a plan otherwise you could just drift. That’s what I did for years. I had no focus. Once you have a plan, you just need to do it. Walk the walk.
What is the most important thing to know about you?
I love cocktails. I make a mean espresso martini.
Please tell us one unexpected thing about yourself.
Don’t ask my friends lol!
I lived over the road from Pink Floyd when I was little. They lived next to a pub so that no one would complain about the noise. My Mum said she used to see them in the corner shop looking very ‘tired’.
Oh and I love peanut butter with marmite.