An Artist View

Description

Behind the stamps with the artist Louise Hill I have wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Africa – I was born in Kenya and spent my early years in Zimbabwe – surrounded by colour, pattern and life. Those early experiences left a lasting mark on me. Art there felt bold and joyful, and I think that sense of vibrancy still finds its way into my paintings today.

I later spent time living in England, studying for a BA (Hons) in Illustration and then working in London for eight happy years illustrating books. Eventually my husband and I chose a very different pace of life and moved to Tanzania, where we spent over 25 years. I painted constantly – landscapes, wildlife and people – and I was never short of inspiration.

In 2021 our family moved to Sark to be closer to my parents. We had long loved the island, and settling here has opened an exciting new chapter in my work. Sark is completely different from East Africa, yet equally inspiring. Its quiet lanes, dramatic cliffs and ever-changing light challenges me to capture the emotions, tones and colours of this amazing small island.

I mostly paint with watercolours: I love their immediacy, and I tend to use strong colour and contrast rather than pale washes. I also enjoy experimenting with collage. I tear out colours and textures from magazines or paint my own colour samples.

Providing illustrations of my work for the latest Sark stamps was a privilege. Stamps are tiny works of art that travel far beyond the island and carry with them a memory of somewhere special. I hoped to capture not only the scenery but also the atmosphere; the feeling of wind, sea and quiet beauty that makes Sark unique.

If, when someone receives a letter, the stamps prompt them to pause and imagine the island for a moment, that would make me happy.

Specification