My Obsessions: Faye Bridgwater

Faye Bridgwater is the Brighton-based artist behind the bold floral banners currently lining Sloane Street — a riotous, high-summer celebration marking the Street’s elegant new look. You’ve probably seen her work without realising it. Or rather, you’ve felt it. The burst of colour. The sense of movement. The sheer, unapologetic joy of it.

Known for her expressive, abstract landscapes and obsession with saturated colour, Bridgwater creates art that’s as emotionally charged as it is visually uplifting. She’s shown her work at the Saatchi Gallery, founded the wildly popular Brighton Skies community, and paints to the rhythm of audiobooks, beach walks, and good coffee.

Here, she shares the everyday rituals, creative sparks and personal indulgences that shape her world — from Gertrude Jekyll roses and Sufjan Stevens to the balm she swears by and the Chelsea spot that means the most to her.

Faye Bridgwater is the Brighton-based artist behind the bold floral banners currently lining Sloane Street — a riotous, high-summer celebration marking the Street’s elegant new look. You’ve probably seen her work without realising it. Or rather, you’ve felt it. The burst of colour. The sense of movement. The sheer, unapologetic joy of it.

Known for her expressive, abstract landscapes and obsession with saturated colour, Bridgwater creates art that’s as emotionally charged as it is visually uplifting. She’s shown her work at the Saatchi Gallery, founded the wildly popular Brighton Skies community, and paints to the rhythm of audiobooks, beach walks, and good coffee.

Here, she shares the everyday rituals, creative sparks and personal indulgences that shape her world — from Gertrude Jekyll roses and Sufjan Stevens to the balm she swears by and the Chelsea spot that means the most to her.

The banners currently lining Sloane Street… That sense of joy and freedom is exactly what I wanted to capture and share. It’s so exciting to see my artwork, bursting with bold florals, lining Sloane Street like a joyful celebration. While painting them, I kept thinking about that magical feeling when you’re out with your friends, completely in full bloom on the dance floor, arms in the air, utterly happy and alive. 

My creative process… My creative process usually begins with photography and quick sketches to explore compositions. Then I move onto canvas, working my way through the rainbow, starting with bold, joyful brushstrokes. Over time, the energy shifts. As the painting evolves, so do my movements: they slow down, becoming more deliberate and refined, adding detail, and rhythm until everything feels just right.

One thing I can’t create without is a good coffee — always! I should probably give that up for a green tea or something, but then I pop on an audiobook and I’m off. Once I’m immersed in the studio, paint flowing and stories swirling around me, time just disappears. Hours, days, even weeks seem to whizz by.

It usually surprises people that I…  founded a Facebook group called Brighton Skies, which now has nearly 70,000 members. It started as a little side project, a place to share my obsession with the ever-changing skies over Brighton, and it’s grown into this amazing, supportive community of sky-watchers, photographers, and daydreamers. 

It’s been such a joy to see how something so simple and spontaneous has connected so many people through beauty, light, and a shared love of looking up.

I’m reading… I recently visited Japan, and I’ve completely fallen down a rabbit hole of Japanese fiction, reading Butter, Sweet Bean Paste, Convenience Store Woman, and Abroad in Japan. Well, I listen to the audiobooks while I paint. In English, I should add!  

The last thing I bought and cherished… Is a Gertrude Jekyll, a climbing rose for my studio. I love the scent of a rose, and this one’s a beauty. I’ve definitely hit that stage in life where I get far too excited about plants… but there’s something so grounding about watching things grow. Plus, it feels lovely to have something blooming just outside while I’m painting inside.

My fridge is never without… Milk — I still have a proper milkman who delivers three times a week, and I love those classic glass bottles, such a lovely bit of design. With teenagers in the house, knowing the milk’s arriving like clockwork is honestly such a relief. Most importantly, it means I never run out for that all-important morning coffee.

I’m watching… Well, it has to be Race Around the World. It’s absolutely brilliant watching pairs navigate their way across the globe. As a family, we love an adventure. Last summer, we took a marvellous journey from Bergen in Norway to Helsinki in Finland by train. The ever-changing views out of the window are endlessly inspiring, so watching the contestants travel is a fun watch.

I never miss… I live in Brighton, so I walk on the beach a few times a week. Early morning beach walks are my moment of fresh air before I’m back into the paint. A truly blessed way to start the day, looking out at the horizon listening to the waves lapping

I’m known for… My ability to talk to absolutely anyone and everyone, and I do mean everyone! I just love hearing people’s stories. Since I can’t drive, some of my most fascinating conversations happen on the bus. Honestly, the world is full of the most extraordinary characters!

When no one is around, I like to… Have a day of rest in my jimmy jams! It’s been far too long since I’ve had one of those glorious, do-nothing days. I’m determined to make it happen soon.

My non-negotiable indulgence is… A long, indulgent bath with Epsom Salts. Some of my best ideas just pop up while I’m soaking and letting my mind wander; there’s something about the warm water that sets creativity free.

My mental health would suffer without… My lovely husband. We’re total opposites, which is probably exactly why it works so well. He brings the calm, I bring the chaos! 

We’ve been together since we were teenagers, grown up side by side, and he’s always been my biggest champion as an artist. That said, he never sets foot in my studio; it’s far too messy for him and puts him completely on edge! But, honestly, that balance is what keeps life feeling full and sweet.

My go-to wellbeing expert is… Ooo, this is a tricky one! I’ve read Brian Rutenberg’s Clear Seeing Place twice now, and so much of it sticks with me. His thoughts on creativity and clarity really resonate. Also, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is a must-read if you’re interested in trauma and healing. I honestly wish I’d come across it much earlier in life.

The beauty staple I always have in stock… Balmonds Skin Salvation. It’s simply magic. If you have a dry patch, this will sort it out. I always keep it close by for a quick skin rescue.

I’m thinking about… I recently went to this incredible event called Pitchblack Playback, where you listen to a whole album in complete darkness. We listened to one of my favourite musicians, Sufjan Stevens, and since then, Carrie & Lowell has been playing on repeat in my head. It was such an intense and beautiful experience; it really made me listen to the music in a whole new way.

My favourite local restaurant is… Ottolenghi — it’s my go-to when I’m in Chelsea. The displays are like edible still-life paintings, an absolute feast for the eyes and every bite is packed with flavour. I always end up with far too many little dishes (and definitely a cake). It’s colourful, creative, and full of joy, just how I like things.

I’m dreaming about… My holiday to Italy this summer; I’m counting down the days. It’s been such a big, brilliant year, full of amazing things, but I’m ready for a rest. 

I always think of my art practice like the tide: when it’s high, I’m in full flow, paint flying, brushes dancing, working late into the night. But when the tide goes out, that quiet time is just as vital. It’s when the ideas settle, I recharge, reflect, absorb, and get ready for the next wave. Italy feels like the perfect place to just be for a while before I start the next collection. Bring on those tomatoes that taste of sunshine!

The place in Chelsea that means a lot to me… has to be the Saatchi Gallery. I honestly wouldn’t even have allowed myself to dream of exhibiting there. So to have shown my work there twice is just incredible. A real pinch-me moment, seeing my paintings up on those iconic white walls. Flowers – Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture has been so popular that it’s now extended into the summer. My top tip is to book so you don’t miss out.