IN THE STUDIO
Home is where the art is
I am very lucky to be able to work from my garden studio which doubles up as a little gallery and shop.
It’s a gorgeous, creative and calming space,
where, in normal times,
visitors are always very welcome.
If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would eventually spend my days painting mad animal portraits, I would have laughed out loud, but as unlikely as it seemed, that's where I am and that's what I do, and I count myself very lucky.
My motivation is kept alive by people's happy responses to the paintings. Ironically, there is no bigger compliment than hearing someone chuckle when looking at my work, and if I hear a guffaw - job done.
I'm also comforted and somewhat relieved that there are other people out there who seem to share my slightly off-the-wall humour!
My Story
I became a full time artist in 2010, thanks to a commission for a friend, who asked me to paint a huge picture of a cow 'kissing' the canvas ... the mad menagerie began from that very first 'Mad Cow'.
I started selling at art markets and events, developed my own online shop and have been very fortunate to secure numerous gallery and shop representations over the years. Hard work and and a genuine love of what I do saw me through those early art markets (often freezing), busy open studios (much warmer) and exhibitions at several UK galleries (wine). A hobby that began with a commission for a friend has become a career, and the creation of Sam Fenner Art.
I am married to Ed, we have 2 teenagers, who are great, most of the time.. My parents are both 'arty' and my brother is a successful graphic designer so creativity is in the genes. I studied General Art & Design and Art History at Hereford Art College and Life Drawing at Worcester School of Art & Design. I am a certified francophile (lots of my family live there), I speak French, love travelling, and play the piano (badly).
I worked at the Morgan Motor Company in Malvern before having children... after which my life and career changed direction
What the Curators say
" It is impossible to look at Fenner animal work without a smile, a laugh,
or even a belly laugh... they are a joy "
"Sam Fenner's much sought after paintings don't hang on gallery walls for long. These animal portraits are much more than mere realistic images; they have a painterly quality which is an absolute joy, add to that the feeling that these animals have almost human characters, and then even more pleasure comes from seeing how the witty titles fit the characters so closely.
Every home should have one "
