Inspired by the beauty and seasonal drama of the South Downs coast where she lives, Sarah Burges creates dramatic seascapes, landscapes and vibrant floral displays embodied in breathtaking large-scale paintings and enchanting hand-tufted rugs. Using oil on board and canvas her bold use of colour and vigorous impressionist brush work create richly textured, truly arresting paintings that capture the beauty and unpredictability of nature.

In 2021, excited by the idea of exploring texture and a growing interest in textiles, Sarah began to translate her floral paintings to rugs, first, beautiful painterly rag rugs, then, most recently, hand-tufted wool rugs and wall hangings using traditional artisan techniques. Like her paintings, they are exquisite works of art that are uplifting and joyful, expressing her sense of fun. But for Sarah, it’s all about colour. Inspired as much by the pale chalk cliffs of the Sussex coast, its sunrises and sunsets as the tumultuous darkness of the seas and the delicacy of a flower in bloom.

From dusky blues, muted pinks to vibrant greens and burnt orange, Sarah’s palette is both moody and uplifting, often evoking the spirit of the Bloomsbury Group and Charleston Farmhouse close to where she lives and where she takes much of her inspiration.

Sarah is co-founder of the Lansdown Studios & Gallery in Lewes, East Sussex where she can be seen at work and where she exhibits all year round. Her work has been shown at numerous regional exhibitions alongside the West Street Gallery in London and the Canvas Gallery in Winchester while she has sold to a growing number of collectors worldwide.