Sarah Cleeve Art

OK, not winning anything for artwork (that never happens!😂), but for my other obsession, wildlife gardening.

About ten months ago I decided that all the dandelions and knapweed and brambles and daisies in the garden deserved some recognition. I went to Durham County Council’s Beautiful Durham gardening competition webpage and registered my overgrown and semi-wild garden with its mini ponds, two bug hotels, a mini meadow and small tree nursery.

I heard nothing more all summer, until the other week when I received an email warmly inviting me to the Beautiful Durham awards night. On the day I went along in dungarees and fab Flower Power tee (available from Strive For Wild) with no more expectation than some gardening chat and perhaps of a certificate recognising my entry to the competition.

It was really heartening and lovely, then, to be given a Judges’ Discretionary Award – “Keen to be Green”! – for all the wild spaces that I had tried to incorporate into my horticultural endeavours. I’m very grateful to the judges for accommodating eco gardening ideas: this has inspired and encouraged me to pursue this obsession of mine further – wild spaces everywhere in Durham City? Phasing out weedkiller in public spaces? Ending the use of peat in growing for municipal displays? Yep, I have set my sights! 🙂

This is the wild child, botanical, horticultural, rewilding side of me, which I would love to combine with my art a lot more (just need more time). See below for a little gallery of my botanical and nature art, which I love to create, and would welcome commissions for. Enjoy!