It was a beautiful day in Kings Cross when the Artsnug team stumbled across the work of London-based Sarah Morgan! We were browsing the walls at The Other Art Fair and having a good natter to all the artists, when we turned a corner and fell in love with Sarah’s atmospheric and arresting prints. Today we are absolutely delighted to welcome to Sarah to the Artsnug Artist Family!

Sarah Morgan is an intaglio printmaker who focuses on collagraph printing. Her work is an exploration of her own observations, memories, emotions and experiences. Sarah expertly uses the collagraph process to capture a unique and distinctive view of the world - allowing the texture and the freedom of this form to imbue her imagery with a sense of romanticism and simple ethereal beauty.

She pays attention to the parameters of an image, playfully using shape and colour to direct our gaze and draw us into an extra-ordinary vignette. This is a world which deals with nature and human existence, but with a hint of whimsy and magical realism.

Please tell us a bit about yourself, and the journey you took to become an artist.

I have alwavs made art in some form or other. I spent quite some time making oil paintings but they are big and difficult to store, so I was looking for a different practice when I stumbled across a collagraph printing course - I completely loved it! This form of printmaking allows me to explore different ideas and I love how it can vary between feeling instant and free, or tight and clean.

Tell us about your studio practice. What is a collagraph print and how do you create it?

Collagraph print is an intaglio process - I use mount board, and sticky back plastic/ tape to make my plates. You can scratch into the board, cut pieces away or peel pieces off - all of which can create depth and atmosphere. Once vou are happy with the plate you then ink it up by hand and wipe it back leaving only the ink you want. You then dampen some paper and pull it through the press.

What do you hope that your work communicates to the world?

I'm not the best at describing my work, however I have had a couple of people contact me and describe how the work makes them feel. These quotes really resonate with me and cut to the heart of what I do:

“Your work offers an honest beauty, humor with warmth attention to the important detail and tenderness behind the tones.”

“Often there is a strong dichotomy in your work a loneliness and a universal humanity/human warmth.”

Which other styles, artists or artworks have influenced you?

I feel there are too many to name and I'm always discovering new ones - but I would say the oil painter Paul Critchely and printmaker Katherine Jones. These artists have been longstanding sources of inspiration.

When is your favourite time to create? What conditions do you need to do what you do?

I will generally work in the day as I'm not really a night owl, so I always work much better in the morning and throughout the day.

What does a day in the life of Sarah Morgan look like?

I normally start the day with an early morning cycle. It helps to clear my mind and if I'm going to be in the studio all day I'm more focused if I've exercised. If I have any new orders in I will pack them up and have a trip to the post office first thing, then will carry on with what ever I'm working on.

What are your current fascinations, obsessions or inspirations?

I'm a bit obsessed with making weather prints at the moment.

How have the last few years been artistically? Have you found them to be a challenge, or has it been a refreshing change? Did you create any lockdown-inspired art?

The last few years have been good as I've been very busy. I was lucky that during lockdown I still had access to my studio, without that I think it would have been a very different story. I did create a couple of Lockdown pieces - ‘Longing to hold you’ and ‘Longing to be with you’ which sold out quite quickly. I feel they resonated with a lot of people.

If you could choose three pieces of work from Artsnug to 'snuggle up with' which would they be?'

Well I already have one of Lene Bladbjerg prints but perhaps one of Sabrina Kaici moon prints would be quite nice, and one of Jonathan Lawes’ screen prints - I love his use of colour.

You have the chance to hop into a time machine and join any historical art movement. Which do you go back to?

I think it would have to be Impressionism or the 1960's pop art movement.

Do you have any advice for people just starting their art collection?

Buy something that connects with you in some way. It doesn't have to be expensive you just have to love it. If you do that it will make you smile every time you look at it.

Is there anything else you would like admirers of your work to know?

That I really am truly grateful for them.

SHOP SARAH’S WORK