Professional Artist

Just When You Thought the Art Fairs Were Over…

/ SerenArts Gallery / Leave a comment

Well, we thought we were done.

After a busy year of art fairs, exhibitions, packing, unpacking, driving, hanging, selling and generally wondering where on earth we keep finding the energy to do it all again… we thought 2026 was finally winding down… And then Manchester happened!

Completely out of the blue, we were offered a late cancellation stand at Manchester Art Fair – and after a little bit of discussion we decided to say YES!

serena pugh at manchester art fair 2026


Manchester, here we come!

Manchester Art Fair takes place at Manchester Central from 19th–22nd November 2026, and this year’s event is shaping up to be a big one. The fair has expanded to four days, with an exclusive preview evening on Thursday followed by a new public opening on Friday, before the traditional Saturday and Sunday. There will be more than 180 exhibitors and around 600 artists, bringing an enormous variety of original art together under one roof.

manchester art fair


And Serena will be right in the middle of it all at Stand 747.

We’re really excited about this one because Manchester is a completely new audience for us. We’ve travelled all over the country with Serena’s paintings over the years, but this will be our first time exhibiting at Manchester Art Fair – and we’re looking forward to seeing how her colourful, atmospheric works go down with the Manchester crowd.

manchester art fair


There should be plenty to see, too. Alongside Manchester Art Fair is The Manchester Contemporary, bringing together independent galleries and artist-led spaces from the UK and internationally, with a programme of talks, workshops and collector events. In other words, if you’re interested in art, there should be plenty to keep you occupied for the weekend!

manchester art fair


We’re not quite sure what we’ll be taking yet. We’re already imagining Stand 747 gradually filling up with colourful figurative works, atmospheric Scottish landscapes and all those little glimpses of places that Serena somehow manages to turn into something completely different with her work.

Once again we will be hoping to stay in Vinnie (our beautiful campervan!), although the nearest campsite is about 1/2 an hour away. It will definitely make it more of an adventure though! Getting ready and then hopping on the tram to head to the city centre.

If you’re anywhere near Manchester in November, we’d absolutely love you to come and say hello. Come and find Serena at Stand 747 at Manchester Art Fair, 19th–22nd November 2026, at Manchester Central.

And if you’ve never been to an art fair before, this could be a pretty good one to start with.

Bradford on Avon Through an Artist’s Eyes

/ SerenArts Gallery / Leave a comment

Living and working in Bradford on Avon, you might think Serena would paint it all the time. After all, it’s right on our doorstep. We have the River Avon, the old stone buildings, the bridges, the hills and the beautiful countryside surrounding the town. There is inspiration everywhere.

But, as I regularly remind Serena, she doesn’t actually paint local scenes nearly as often as she should! We have a running joke about it! Whenever one of her Bradford on Avon paintings sells quickly, I can’t resist saying, “See! I keep telling you — you need to paint more local scenes!”

Seeing the familiar differently

There is something lovely about seeing somewhere you know well turned into a painting. Bradford on Avon is full of those little moments that can catch an artist’s eye. The river looks completely different depending on the light (and the height of the water!), the old honey-coloured buildings glow in the sunshine, and an evening sky can transform the whole town into something much more atmospheric.

Even somewhere you’ve walked past hundreds of times can suddenly look different because of a particular reflection, shadow or combination of colours. That’s often when Serena starts thinking, “I could paint that.” Although thinking it and actually having the time to paint it are two very different things!

It’s not about copying what you see

Serena’s paintings aren’t simply trying to reproduce a photograph, she paints how a place feels to her. Colours might be changed, buildings simplified, details left out and the light exaggerated (always with some added colour!). The finished painting is her interpretation of the place rather than a photographic record of it. And this is probably why she sometimes resists my suggestion that she should paint more Bradford on Avon. Serena much prefers painting something that has come from her head and heart, rather than sitting down because I’ve told her that another painting of Bradford Bridge would probably sell!

A town full of inspiration

The wonderful thing about Bradford on Avon is that there really is no shortage of inspiration. The river, the bridges, the old streets and buildings, the hills, the trees and the countryside all provide endless possibilities. Then you add the changing seasons and the light, and the same view can become an entirely different painting. And when one of those paintings finds a new home, it’s particularly satisfying. Often the buyer recognises the view straight away. Perhaps they’ve lived here for years, walked along the river every day or simply fallen in love with the town during a visit. The painting then becomes more than just a picture. It becomes a little piece of somewhere that means something to them.

Here are a few of Serena’s Bradford on Avon paintings — the town we are lucky enough to live and work in.

the town bridge bradford on avon by serena pugh
the bullpit bradford on avon by serena pugh
the tithe barn bradford on avon by serena pugh
the shambles bradford on avon by serena pugh

50 at 50 – Little Paintings, Big Idea!

/ SerenArts Gallery / Leave a comment

There’s something rather exciting happening behind the scenes at SerenArts at the moment…

As Art in the Pen celebrates its 20th anniversary, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to do something a little bit different. So, we came up with 50 at 50. The idea is simple – 50 original paintings, each just 4 inches square, and every one priced at £50.

A selection of 4" original paintings by Serena Pugh for the 50 at 50 collection


These aren’t prints or reproductions. They’re all original little paintings by Serena, created especially for this collection. There are flowers, landscapes, seascapes and plenty of Serena’s trademark colour and texture – each one completely individual. And although they’re small, they certainly aren’t lacking in personality!

13 have already found homes… We decided to give our lovely subscribers a little sneak peek at the collection before we headed off to Skipton – and they clearly liked what they saw! That means there are now 37 paintings remaining in the collection, and we’re taking them all with us to Art in the Pen.

Why £50?

serena pugh 50 at 50 collection of original 4 inch artworks


Well, the 50/50 theme seemed too good to resist! Serena normally sells her 4-inch original oils for £65 at art fairs, but because this is a special collection celebrating Art in the Pen’s 20th anniversary, we thought we’d make them £50 each. It’s a bit of fun, but it’s also a great opportunity for someone to own an original Serena Pugh painting at a particularly accessible price. And they’re the sort of paintings that make wonderful little gifts too – although we’re sure quite a few will end up being kept rather than given away!

One of the things we particularly love about these little 4-inch paintings is just how much Serena manages to squeeze into such a small space. They’re full of colour, texture and movement, and once they’re framed, they have a real presence. And because they’re all originals, once one has gone, it’s gone!

So, if you’re coming to Art in the Pen, make sure you come and find us early and take a look at the 50 at 50 collection. And if you can’t make it to Skipton, keep an eye on our social media – we’ll be sharing the collection along the way.

50 little paintings. 50 little stories. £50 each.

A Painting, and Its Little Companion

/ SerenArts Gallery / Leave a comment

This vibrant 30″ square acrylic was one of those pieces that immediately caught people’s attention when it went up in the gallery recently. Full of colour, energy and layers of flowers and foliage, it had a real presence on the wall. The reaction to it was fantastic, with so many people commenting on the colours and the way the different flowers seem to tumble into one another.

serena pugh artwork - companion piece


But it also got Serena thinking… What if the same idea could be captured in something much smaller? And so the companion piece was born.

Rather than simply reproducing the large painting, Serena created a little 4″ square version inspired by the original. It has the same sense of colour and movement, and you can immediately see the relationship between the two, but it has its own character too.

We really like the idea of companion pieces because they give a painting a second life.

The large original is very much a statement piece. At 30″ square, it has a real impact and is designed to be noticed. At £800, it is the sort of painting that can become a focal point for a room.

The little companion, on the other hand, is much more accessible. At just 4″ square and £50, it brings that same colourful spirit to a much smaller space — and a much smaller budget. And that’s really the beauty of it.

You don’t necessarily need a huge wall to enjoy an original piece of art. A little painting can have just as much personality as a big one. In fact, we think there is something rather special about seeing the two together. The photograph above shows exactly what we mean: the large painting making the statement, with its little companion sitting underneath almost like a miniature echo of the original.

It also got us thinking about the way people collect art.

Sometimes you fall in love with a particular painting but don’t have the space — or the budget — for the large version. A smaller companion gives you another way into the artist’s work. And if you already own the large painting, the little one could become a lovely addition somewhere else in your home.

One idea. Two paintings. Two very different scales.

And perhaps that’s one of the nicest things about making art — an idea doesn’t always have to stay the size it started.

Sometimes, the big painting needs a little companion.

And at £50, this particular little one is certainly a lot easier to take home!

Choosing the Perfect Frame

/ SerenArts Gallery / Leave a comment

If you’ve ever visited our gallery, you may have admired one of Serena’s paintings without giving much thought to the frame surrounding it. That’s exactly as it should be.

A good frame shouldn’t shout louder than the artwork. Instead, it quietly does its job, complementing the painting and allowing it to shine.

People are often surprised to learn that framing isn’t simply a case of picking a colour that looks nice. It’s actually one of the final artistic decisions in the life of every painting.

Once Serena has finished a piece, the oils need time to dry before we can frame it. At the moment, the studio shelves are lined with paintings patiently waiting for that moment—bright florals, peaceful landscapes, little treasures destined for Art in the Pen next week. It’s always a slightly nerve-wracking sight, especially when the exhibition is getting closer and the drying time can’t be hurried along!

serena pugh art in the pen 20th anniversary


What happens next is very much a team effort.

Serena chooses the frame colour. As the artist, she instinctively knows what will best complement each painting. Sometimes a black tray frame gives a contemporary piece the strength it needs. Other paintings come alive in a soft oak finish, while others suit a crisp white that keeps everything feeling fresh and light. There isn’t a formula—every painting tells us something different.

Once the decision has been made, it’s over to me.

I fit each painting into its tray frame, carefully positioning it within the shadow gap that creates the floating effect we love so much. The back is neatly sealed with framing tape, the correct hanging hardware is fitted, and finally it gets one last inspection before it’s ready to meet its new audience.

It’s a process that most visitors never see, but one that we genuinely enjoy. There’s something rather satisfying about watching a finished painting settle into the frame that was clearly meant for it. Somehow, it suddenly feels complete.

As I write this, our shelves are looking rather colourful. Every painting is drying, every frame is waiting, and the countdown to Art in the Pen is well and truly on. There will no doubt be a few late evenings in the workshop over the coming days, but that’s all part of preparing for one of our favourite events of the year.

serena pugh painting waiting to be framed


When you visit our stand in Skipton, you’ll see the finished paintings hanging proudly on the walls. What you won’t see are the days spent waiting for paint to dry, the conversations over which frame colour is just right, or the careful finishing touches that happen behind the scenes.

But perhaps that’s the point.

When everything comes together perfectly, all you notice is the painting.

The Calm Before the Adventure

/ SerenArts Gallery / Leave a comment

If you’ve visited SerenArts Gallery over the last few weeks, you might think everything looks wonderfully calm. The paintings are hanging neatly on the walls, visitors are browsing at a leisurely pace, and there’s the usual friendly chat about colours, favourite places and whether that painting would look just right above the fireplace.

Behind the scenes, however… it’s a slightly different story!

In just a few weeks, we’ll be heading north to Art in the Pen in Skipton – one of the country’s best-loved art fairs – and while we’re incredibly excited, we’re also at that familiar stage where every flat surface seems to have become a temporary storage area for something art-related.

There are paintings waiting to be framed. Others are drying just that little bit longer because “one more day won’t hurt.” Serena’s 4-inch oil paintings are appearing in neat little rows ready for framing, while larger originals are quietly competing for a place in the van. It’s a bit like putting together a football team… everyone deserves a place, but sadly not everyone can make the starting eleven!

serena pugh paintings ready for art in the pen skipton


Then there are the lists.

Lists of paintings. Lists of display items. Lists reminding us to check the lists. Somewhere there may even be a list of where we’ve put the other lists.

Thankfully, experience has taught us that all this organised chaos eventually comes together. It always does. The bubble wrap gets wrapped, the labels get printed, the van gets packed (usually with military precision after several rounds of artistic rearranging), and before we know it we’ll be setting off on another adventure.

One of the nicest parts of preparing for an exhibition is seeing a collection of paintings slowly come together. Individually, each one tells its own story, but together they begin to create a conversation. Looking around the gallery, it’s exciting to imagine them hanging in a completely different setting, meeting thousands of visitors over the course of a weekend, and hopefully finding new homes.

serena pugh paintings hanging in serenarts gallery


Of course, before any of that happens, there’s still plenty to do. A few finishing touches here, a bit of varnishing there, perhaps the occasional cup of coffee (or three), and undoubtedly a few moments where we both stand in the gallery wondering, “Are we sure we’ve remembered everything?”

We probably haven’t.

But that’s all part of the adventure.

The countdown has well and truly begun, and we can’t wait to share the journey with you.

Wish us luck… and if anyone invents a way of packing a van so that it still has room for the kettle, we’d love to hear about it!