< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Back in 2005, Gainsborough native Sara Otter undertook a degree in physiotherapy, setting the trajectory of her professional life. But just three months before she was set to graduate, she started to suffer from serious unexpected health problems. This understandably forged a different path, a journey that led her to art. Numerous studies have shown the positive mental health benefits and stress relief of creative endeavours whether Painting became a lifeline for artist Sara Otter and her works can now be found in galleries and exhibitions in Lincolnshire and beyond. This Valentine’s season, we take a closer look at works that beautifully capture love and romance. A light in the dark creativity,” she tells us. As well as drawing inspiration from what’s on her doorstep, she also soaks up the heritage and culture from visiting different countries, and by exploring the works of other artists. Sara’s work has featured in numerous galleries and exhibition and now adorns many a home. Although the journey hasn’t been easy, it has given her a unique perspective and provided her with plenty of drive and determination. that’s writing fiction, wood carving or, in this case, painting. For several years, Sara painted purely as therapy and stress relief but, in 2017, she turned her newfound creative outlet into a business. Because of her journey as a professional artist, Sara is entirely self- taught. That’s allowed her to find inspiration in everything, especially the great outdoors. She can often be found out walking, surrounding herself with nature. “Nature fuels much of my 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:22 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 21 ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE THE LITTLE RED GALLERY Love art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat. The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas. 8 Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AE 01522 589134 8 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DP art@thelittleredgallery.co.uk www.thelittleredgallery.co.uk Even now she’ll seek out the comfort of her studio when life gets too hectic. By now you’re probably imagining Sara with a paintbrush in her hand but, truth be told, she only ever uses her fingers or spoons. It’s a unique process, to be sure, but one which Sara has made entirely her own. Her technique is also unusual, though it’s something of a closely guarded secret. “I don’t share it widely, but those I have told have all been fascinated and even more mesmerised with my work,” she says. “I may reveal it one day.” On discovering this technique, Sara worked with it for a while, developing and adapting it to work perfectly for her before using it in her paintings. It’s this spirit of adventure and experimentation that sets her work apart from so many of her contemporaries. She’s not afraid to take her own route and do things on her terms, something that has clearly resonated with art appreciators. In 2018, she was discovered by Artko, a UK publisher who provides the likes of John Lewis and Next with artwork from a variety of talented artists. Much as it’s nice to receive kind words about one’s work, for Sara, one of the biggest complements is that her art makes people feel happy. “The world needs a little more happiness in it,” she says. “If I can help with that even in a small way then it’s worth doing.” Sara’s works are currently displayed at The Braithwaite Gallery in York and our very own Little Red Gallery (www.thelittleredgallery.co.uk) in Lincoln and Stamford, independent galleries that Sara says is “the perfect environment for my work to be displayed in”. 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:22 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Private paradise 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:25 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 23 GARDENS T he Holmes bought the property some 20 years ago and the previous owner wasn’t really that much into gardening so apart from a few restricted beds and overgrown shrubs and leylandii, they yearned for a garden they could really enjoy. However, work on reinvigorating this Lincolnshire garden had to wait until the house was complete, at which point, they decided to begin by enlarging the beds and removing some of the old roses, as they had become thick with age. Similarly, the leylandii had been allowed to get a little out of hand so that was removed, to let in more light. Elizabeth recalls how the very heavy clay soil made life difficult, so much so that in one area the couple had to resort to using a crowbar to break through, releasing a sulphur like smell as they penetrated the heavy bed. Undeterred, the Holmes continued in their quest, expanding each bed until the garden took shape and almost half the garden becoming borders and shrubs. Creating a decent lawn on such a soil also proved difficult, with one area so wet that the couple had to employ the services of a mini-digger driver to work the soil underneath. But, even then, it became apparent that nature was determined to win that particular argument, so they turned a problem into an opportunity by cleverly transforming it into a bog garden instead. Readers’ gardens come in all shapes and sizes and this month’s, in particular, proved a great find with its well-stocked borders and bog garden, but also the view beyond. After all, what better way to relax after a busy day in the garden, than with a glass of wine enjoying the sun set in the distance. 24 Á 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:25 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Here, the likes of Primula candelabra, Siberian Iris, Darnera, Fritillaries and Horsetail all thrive in the moist soil. To improve the heavy clay beds in the garden, plenty of home-made and commercially bought compost, was worked in, allowing for a much wider variety of planting to take place than would otherwise have been afforded. Now, rhododendrons and other acid loving plants sit aside the countless shrubs and perennials that grace the borders. “The soil has really benefitted the planting but, we also benefit from various species growing that we didn’t actually plant,” says Elizabeth, “like the Verbena Bonarienses which has dense clusters of small, purple flowers in summer and autumn and the Schizostylis - Kaffir Lily which seems to grow well – in fact quite a few pioneer plants have appeared in the garden.” “I’m particularly pleased with the mature eucalyptus trees,” says Elizabeth “which have so far survived the harshest of winters. And, a rather magnificent Magnolia Loebneri standing proud at what must be 30 feet tall.” Asked what their favourite place in the garden is, this sociable couple agree that the patio, which overlooks what used to be their neighbour’s vineyard, is perhaps their go-to place; “It’s such a shame that the vineyard didn’t work out as well as our neighbours had hoped, but the open views we now get to the countryside still make this a special place to sit and enjoy the view of the garden and the countryside beyond it.” 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:25 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 25 GARDENS 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:25 Page 4ow time flies, as it has been five years since I started writing my gardening advice page. I hope that during that time I have helped to remind you about the monthly jobs that need doing, provided information on conservation issues and generally given you the confidence to go out and enjoy your garden. With 2020 underway I thought, this month, I would share the predicted trends and fashions for gardens this year. You never know some of them may inspire you. Garden vertically This is not a new idea, but it one that is likely to become more popular. Vertical gardens are ideal if you do not have a lot of space however you can use this concept anywhere. You can also provide this inside or outside, from herbs in the kitchen to flowers in the garden. There are many different living wall kits available and by searching online you can find the one for you. You can always create your own from old pallets, pots etc which leads me to the next trend for this year. 26 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY If you’re looking for some outdoors inspiration, Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explores the predicted trends and fashions for gardens for the year ahead. Upcycling and repurposing Again, this in not a new concept but there has been a definite resurgence as awareness of the environmental impact of consumerism grows. You can reuse garden objects for something else, such as a cracked birdbath can be used as a flower planter. However, more people are using other items not normally found in the garden to create unique features. For example, I have seen chairs with the seat removed and a planter inserted, or a mirror hung on a fence and then small containers attached to the mirror with succulent plants in. If you are creative, then this could be a good way to make something unique for your garden. 26-27.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:27 Page 1Houseplants and tech Houseplants are becoming more popular and it is become more understood that they can enhance your mood, reduce stress, improve morale and contribute to a happy, healthy environment. However not everyone is green fingered, and they find that keeping their houseplants alive is not that easy. So people are turning to garden tech to help keep their indoor greenery alive. You can get devices that monitor the soil, water intake and the amount of light they get. They can then automatically provide water, and some will have built in lights that will turn on if it has been a dark, dull day. If you are into your tech then this could be the next household accessory for you. Low maintenance gardens This has been a fashion for gardens for a while and does not seem to be a trend that is going away. The thing that is changing is that people are realising that low maintenance does not mean boring and empty. You can still have a garden with colour and structure by strategically planning low maintenance plants within your space. Furthermore, a combination of foliage and flowering plants of various sizes can create a garden which looks mature form the start. Thereby ensuring that a low maintenance garden doesn’t look too empty or soulless at the beginning of its transformation. Hopefully some of these 2020 trends will inspire you to do something with your garden or indoor plants, and I will continue to try and provide you with gardening information and inspiration each month. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 27 Specialised Services in Garden Design Landscaping and Tree Maintenance Backed by a highly-skilled and experienced team, we’ve built our reputation on an ability to provide professional, tailored gardening and forestry FULLERS Landscaping Call 01522 868717 or 07867 510544 landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com www.landscapinglincolnshire.com Around the garden •Prepare vegetable beds and sow some vegetables undercover •Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering •Divide bulbs such as snowdrops •Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges •Use a pressure washer to clean paths, steps, paving and patios •Plant colourful, evergreen Phormium ‘Cream Delight’ in a patio pot to brighten winter displays •Protect blossom on apricots, nectarines and peaches •Prune Wisteria •Take care not to walk over borders or on lawns where spring bulbs and flowers will be emerging •Prune conservatory climbers © Shutterstock / appleyayee 26-27.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:27 Page 2T here’s a joyous anticipation for the arrival of the year’s first snowdrops, popping their blooms through the snow and frost and signalling that spring will soon be on its way. Although the snowdrop is the flower of February, climate change has meant that they bloom earlier and earlier and can often be found emerging even in January. Though the exact origins of this beautiful little flower in England remain a mystery, the consensus is that they aren’t native. In fact, they’re believed to originate from the Alpine regions where they have expertly adapted to survive in the snow. For example, their leaves have reinforced tips enabling it to successfully emerge through the snow and they contain a natural anti-freeze for dealing with the chill. Impressive, undoubtedly, but it’s their pearly coloured petals for which they’re most famous. These bell-shaped flowers hang loose and appear to nod in the wind. It’s quite a sight to see hundreds – if not thousands – of flowers carpeting a stretch of woodland and gently swaying. They can also be found in churchyards and gardens. Not all attractive flowers possess a pleasant aroma, but the snowdrop is famed for its sweet scent. As if that wasn’t already enough, a substance isolated from the snowdrop called galantamine can be used to improve sleep and is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. According to research, this substance has been shown to improve the working of certain receptors in the brain. As well as this scientific connection, snowdrops also have religious significance and are widely associated with parity. There’s also a whole host of myths and superstitions attached to the flower. One such includes the belief that one should never bring a single or the first snowdrop into the home as it was unlucky and meant there would soon be a death. It was therefore sometimes referred to as the ‘death flower’. We prefer the Greek name of Galanthus which translates as ‘milk flower’. The flower also offers an early buffet for bees with its green trails inside helping to guide the pollinators to the sweet nectar inside. When the temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius, the flower’s outer petals open to reveal the nectar, but when the temperature drops, it will close to protect the nectar. That’s good news for bees, but for animals and humans, the flower and bulb can be fatal when ingested. Snowdrops flower until March, so readers still have time to get out in the county and see them for themselves. Try visiting an open garden, join a woodland walk or check in on manor houses and halls around your area. Only tread carefully, they’re a protected species. 28 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Snowdrops are the flower of February and here we take a closer look at this beautiful perennial plant. Lincolnshire wildlife 28-29.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:29 Page 1© Shutterastock/Jaros Mikus LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 29 28-29.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:30 Page 2Next >