Sally Farr

Sally tells us about herself with a simple Q&A

Q1. Who is Sally?

My name is Sally Farr. I am a designer, art director, and illustrator.


Q2. Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration from having time to myself, but that is very rare, so, in no particular
order...also from my kids, seeing friends, going for walks, travelling, drawing and
observing, people watching, reading and language, music, and sleeping - believe it
or not! Some best ideas and problems solved have happened in dreams, or half-sleep
when your mind is still working things out.


Q3. Did you have any formal training?

I have a degree in Illustration from University of Westminster, Harrow, where I trained as an illustrator. It was quite a fine art course, so we explored a wide variety of media, but I leant strongly towards printmaking. It also had a strong Art History department, which I made the most of!


Q4. How would you describe your art?

My art work is grounded in drawing, line and shape, but also language, and influenced by my experience as a designer. It's usually conceptual, but often playful, witty and anecdotal, with a slightly naive style, but sharply observed.


Q5. What artists inspire you?

There are so many artists that have inspired me along the way, past and present, well-known and not, and as an art director it was part of my job to keep a lookout for up-coming illustrators and photographers, as well as commissioning those more established. But, here are some I return to often, for how they deal with line, colour, ideas, and humour, and also a few I currently like. In both instances they never fail to provide that little dose of daily joy really...

Saul Steinberg, Picasso, Andy Warhol, Ben Shahn, Bruno Munari, David Hockney, Peter Blake, Sister Corita Kent, Irving Penn, Ben Hassett, Tim Walker, Wendy MacNaughton, Marion Deuchars, Shonagh Rae, Cristiana Couceiro, Tina Berning. And if musical artists count, donʼt get me started...will just stick with David Bowie and Prince for now.


Q6. What does Sentiment mean to you?

Sentiment means to me... Feelings, thoughts, remembering