Not content with beautiful fine art watercolours that focus on “everything that’s all around us here in Sussex” (namely wildlife and farm animals), Jennifer Naylor also produces kitchenware ranges, children’s homeware and even handbags, all from her kitchen in Storrington.
“This way,” says Jennifer, “I am able to be an artist and a good mummy, all at the same time.” The children in question are aged five and two, and understandably need a fair amount of attention. “Sometimes I am up working until the early hours of the morning, simply because I want to be there for them, but I am so lucky to be able to be there, so I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Jennifer knew that she was good at drawing as soon as she started school. “My teachers often mentioned it, so I suppose I always had in the back of my mind that that’s what I was going to do.” Having left school though, she took a degree in packaging and design, “really because I was concerned that as an artist I would never make any money – and actually that training has been completely invaluable.”
The proof is in the pudding in this respect, or rather in the charming tins designed to hold a pudding, which are scattered around us as we sit at Jennifer’s kitchen table. Alongside them are gorgeous floral handbags and a range of stationery decorated with British songbirds. Add to this the cartoon-like graphic motifs that make up Jennifer’s children’s range, and you really do start to wonder if there’s anything that she can’t do.
As well as selling through her website and the various stockists that are listed on it, Jennifer will be hosting an exhibition of her work at home this September. “I haven’t quite finalised the details yet,” she says, “but September will be perfect for people thinking about Christmas presents.”
Next year she hopes to exhibit at more trade shows and in gallery spaces, and as the fine art and homeware collections have both grown in popularity, she has decided to split the business in two, marketing her art under the name The Painting Table. As well as her beautiful wildlife and farmyard paintings, Jennifer also takes commissions. “I have been asked to paint a pheasant for a couple who have a real affinity with the one that comes into their garden, and I’m also just about to start painting somebody’s dog.”
So in answer to my earlier question, it seems that there is very little that Jennifer can’t do. If you would like to speak to her about a commission or any of her existing work, she can be reached on 07857 422152 or at www.jenniferrose.gallery***
READ ON
• Peter James on a TV adaption of his Roy Grace series and some favourite Sussex places - The 11th book in Peter James’ hugely popular Roy Grace detective series is published this month. The author and new Sussex Life columnist tells Jenny Mark-Bell that he won’t be killing off his famous creation any time soon, and that the time is now right for a BBC adaptation of the series
• Best farm shops in Sussex - We love to celebrate all things Sussex, so we’ve rounded up a few farm shops in the county where you can find a whole range of fantastic local produce.
