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Artist Alex Gumn
Nestled in the beautiful rural Wiltshire countryside, Sanctuary Studio is my dedicated studio space.
As a self taught, multidisciplinary artist I work in a wide range of media including pyrography, print making, drawing, pastels, mandala and painting. I am particularly interested in creating works in response to the surrounding natural environments, both physically and spiritually, taking inspiration from those elements that we might not ordinarily take the time to observe or appreciate.​
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I am also a professional gardener and spend most of my time outdoors throughout the seasons, which has helped to deepen my understanding and awe for the natural world even further.
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As a child I was always drawn to the magical and the dark unknown. Believing in the balance of all things, I often sided with the witches rather than the princesses as even then I thought they were mis-understood and mis-represented. Watching films like Labyrinth, the Dark crystal and Willow, and teaching myself to draw by copying the art of Brian Froud in his enchanting Faery book (which I still have). Perhaps it's no surprise that Folklore and the realms of spirit and faery also inform a great deal of my work and views of the world.
"We are a part of nature, not apart from it"
As an environmentally conscious artist my aim is to create works that not only represent nature but also do as little harm as possible to it.
This is very much my ongoing mission and is something that develops constantly, but for the moment some of the steps I am taking include:
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Only delivering to UK addresses:
Apologies to those of you from outside the UK, but I believe there are so many talented artists all around our precious planet that I would encourage you to support someone more local to you wherever possible. This also very importantly reduces the miles each of my works would otherwise travel, and the environmental impact of that journey.
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Purchase supplies from UK manufacturers and companies, with a particular focus on small and local businesses:
I research each of my suppliers before buying from them, to see where their items have come from, what they are made of (in the case of papers, inks etc) and what their business ethos is. Where possible I will support fellow small businesses and those with similar values to myself as well as using suppliers more locally.
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Use up waste materials wherever possible
I try very hard to produce little waste, but of course there will always be some. Luckily most of this can be used in other ways i.e. the spare wood from wands can be made into jewellery, buttons and mobiles, left over paper is made into packaging corners for prints and smaller art projects.
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Packaging
In my packaging I use both recycled and recyclable materials as well as reuse as much as I can. This includes card, tissue paper, packing fillers such as bubble wrap and brown paper, and compostable bags.
Sanctuary: a place of safety, a refuge and a space for nature.
