Sarah Cliff Goes to the Dolomites!
Between commercial projects we encourage our artists to experiment and play by way of personal work. These special and individual projects can really capture commissioners attention by showing their work in context, while allowing artists to scratch a certain creative itch they may have felt, hone their skills or flip their usual perspectives on subjects close to their hearts.
Sarah Cliff recently shared with us her collaboration with friend, Art Director and past commissioner, Fabrizio Festa – a speculative guide book called ‘The Hiker’s Guide to the Dolomites’. Showcasing a wonderful meeting of skills, the book sees Sarah combine her personal photographs and illustration, while Fabrizio brought his design, art direction and even writing sensibilities to the layouts, mock-ups and content of the guide.
Sarah was inspired to expand on photographs taken while on holiday spending time in the Dolomites, overlaying her recognisable characters and illustrations to create work that encapsulated her time in Italy’s alluring mountainous region with her partner. The end product provided her work and experience in the Dolomites with a home in the speculative hiker’s guide and accompanying – highly covetable, if we say so ourselves – merchandise and prints.
We caught up with Sarah to hear all about her trip and inspiration for this adventure filled personal project:
What inspired you to make The Hiker’s Guide?
A couple of years ago, my old neighbours and friends kindly invited me and my partner to join them for a few days of their annual trip to the Dolomites where they have family connections. Fabrizio is a graphic designer, we both enjoy old travel guide aesthetic and are both collectors of books so had lots of inspiration to mix together for a project.
What was your favourite part of your trip to the Dolomites?
The Dolomites has a really different feeling than the sunny images of stylish people on mopeds, pizza and pasta that I am used to seeing to represent Italy. I really enjoyed the atmosphere when it was misty and I loved the alpine flowers, especially when you find them in the fog.
My partner and I stayed at a farm before we went up and on recommendation of the host (an artist herself) went to Mantova which is full of Palazzos and churches with incredible art everywhere. We also saw some cool medieval churches with amazing frescoes at the side of the road on the drive up, as well as loads and loads of old Fiat Pandas.
How did this influence your work for this personal project?
I found all the art and nature inspiring. I used some of the photos of the paintings I saw to help come up with colour palettes for the project. I also used some of the misty pictures I took on my old film camera for some in photo illustrations, I suppose with my work being more graphic, it was nice to combine it with photography and have those bright colours combined with more subdued backgrounds.
Seeing a culture of outdoor pursuits in Italy and with German tourists too, especially as a group activity, I found inspiring. I wanted to promote this idea with the book and later realised I could bring a bit of that back home too.
Did this feel different from a commercial commission?
In commercial commissions I learn about subjects I wouldn’t necessarily engage with otherwise which I find joy in. At the same time it’s important as a creative to explore your own interests too and I think when you make personal work you learn a bit about yourself which is valuable as well as exploring different avenues in my work, for example, I always thought of nature as a place I could find peace in solitude but its nice doing that with others too back home in Wales.
There is also lots of hiking clothes I want so I thought I could draw them instead because they are expensive!
How did you and Fabrizio collaborate?
We both are book hoarders so we shared lots of our inspirations from that – I like old illustrated nature guides and Fabrizio likes old climbing books. We came up with a few ideas together, and then he put his own spin on the illustrations, such as combining them with the old etchings.
It was nice to have an ongoing project to come back to in quieter spells! I’m not always the best at seeing a long form personal project through to the end, but working on on something with a friend sometimes is fun and keeps the momentum going!
For more of Sarah’s illustrations take a look at her wider portfolio, here!