Journal

All Roads Lead to Manchester…

Well, September was all about announcing our exciting plans for Manchester Art Fair, and October has been about one thing… PAINTING! Lots and lots of painting.

With Manchester Art Fair looming ever closer, the studio has been a hive of activity as I work towards creating a collection of paintings that I hope will make a real impression. There are new pieces taking shape, ideas evolving as they go, and plenty of colour being thrown around. It really is a wonderful feeling to be creating a fresh body of work.

This is going to be my first time exhibiting at Manchester Art Fair, so there’s a real sense of excitement about the whole thing. It’s a prestigious event, bringing together artists, galleries and collectors from across the country, and I’m really looking forward to introducing my work to a new audience. Of course, that does mean I want to take a collection that feels special, with a good variety of subjects, sizes and styles.

I’ve been concentrating on some larger pieces alongside other new work, and it’s always interesting to see how a painting develops. Sometimes I have a fairly clear idea of where I’m heading, and sometimes the painting has other ideas entirely! I’ve learnt over the years that wrestling a painting into submission rarely works, so there’s a certain amount of negotiation involved. Fortunately, the paintbrush usually wins in the end.

Meanwhile, Mike has been busy with the practical side of things, which is just as well because creating the paintings is only half the story. There’s framing, planning the stand, working out what will fit where, sorting labels and certificates of authenticity, and generally making sure we arrive in Manchester with everything we need. It takes a surprising amount of organisation to make a collection of paintings look as though it has effortlessly appeared on a beautiful exhibition stand. I suspect there will be rather less effortlessness behind the scenes!

We’ll also be taking Vinnie, our trusty campervan, along for the adventure. After several art fairs this year, Vinnie is becoming a seasoned member of the team, although I’m not sure he fully appreciates the amount of artwork he’s expected to transport. We’re hoping to turn the trip into a little adventure of its own, with the added bonus of not having to drive home after a long day at the fair.

So, for now, it’s back to the studio and the ever-growing collection of paintings. There are still ideas to explore, details to finish and a few more canvases and boards that are calling out for attention. I’m thoroughly enjoying the process, even if time seems to be moving considerably faster than my paintbrush!

Manchester Art Fair takes place at Manchester Central from 19th–22nd November 2026, and you’ll find us at Stand 747. If you’re planning a visit, I’d absolutely love you to come along, have a chat and see the new collection in person... See you in November!

Just When You Thought the Art Fairs Were Over…

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!
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. 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.
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!
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.

50 at 50 – Little Paintings, Big Idea!

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.
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?
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!
Small paintings, big impact
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.

Art in the Pen 2026

August is shaping up to be a very exciting month for us as we'll be heading north to beautiful Skipton to exhibit at Art in the Pen and can't wait to celebrate their 20th Anniversary with everyone there.

Art in the Pen has become one of the country's best-loved art fairs, bringing together artists from across the UK in the unique setting of Skipton Auction Mart. Having taken part at last years event we're absolutely delighted to be taking part again for this special year.

We'll be taking a carefully selected collection of Serena's original paintings, from her smallest oil studies through to some of her latest larger pieces. As always, every painting has been created with the hope of capturing a sense of atmosphere, light and connection with the subject, and we're looking forward to sharing the newest collection with visitors over the weekend.

Preparing for an event like this is always a busy time behind the scenes. There are new paintings to finish, framing to be done, display plans to perfect and, of course, plenty of packing to do. It's a lot of work, but it's all part of the excitement, and we can't wait to transform our exhibition space into a little gallery for the weekend.

If you're planning a visit to Art in the Pen this year, we'd love you to stop by and say hello. Whether you're discovering Serena's work for the first time or have been following her journey for years, it will be wonderful to meet you.

We hope to see you in Skipton!

Roots & Resonance

Whilst preparing for the upcoming Art in the Pen in beautiful Skipton, I thought I would just sneak a cheeky exhibition in because it had been at least 4 weeks since the last one!
I am delighted to be taking part in Roots & Resonance, a wonderful exhibition and sale celebrating the beauty of plants, landscapes and wildlife. Held at the historic Merchant’s House in Marlborough, this inspiring summer exhibition brings together a diverse collection of paintings, illustrations and ceramics, all connected by a shared appreciation of the natural world.

The setting of Merchant’s House offers a particularly fitting backdrop for the exhibition, adding to the atmosphere and charm of the event.

I am pleased to have several of my paintings included in the exhibition, so whether you are an art enthusiast, nature lover or simply looking for an enjoyable day out, Roots & Resonance promises to be a truly uplifting exhibition.
Added perk... Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton are giving a talk... what illustrious company my paintings keep!

Another Landmark!

Our visit to the Landmark Spring Art Fair in Teddington, London, was a tremendous success and a thoroughly enjoyable experience from start to finish. Set within the beautiful and atmospheric Landmark Arts Centre, the fair attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the weekend, creating a wonderful opportunity to share my latest work with a new audience.

It was especially rewarding to meet so many people who connected with my paintings, whether through conversations about colour, inspiration, or the stories behind individual pieces. Several artworks found new homes, which is always a privilege and a reminder of why I love exhibiting in person.

As my first exhibition in London, the event exceeded all expectations. The warm reception, enthusiastic feedback, and supportive atmosphere made it a memorable occasion. I would like to thank everyone who stopped by my stand, fellow artists and organisers alike, for helping make the Landmark Spring Art Fair such a positive and successful event.
FYI the photograph shows the beautiful sunlight relecting through the stained glass windows on to the floor in front of our stand.

Never dull April…

It has been a whirlwind of activity here this past month, culminating in the first Art Fair of the year at Chester Racecourse. Virtually everyday this year has been spent making a new collection of artworks to take along to this inaugural event, and it was the first big run out for the van. Neither disappointed! Despite a slow start to the fair, Sunday surpassed all expectations and the large “hero” pieces on the stand sold. Sales continue to be prolific, and I am very excited to be part of the art fair scene this year. As much as I adore coming to work in my studio gallery, there is a real buzz of excitement meeting other artists and taking in all the differing art styles on these trips away. With that in mind… here’s to the next art fair. Roll on Landmark Spring Art Fair in Teddington! (15-17th May.)

Marching Forwards

Meet the latest member of the SerenArts Team! Say hi to Vinnie (short for Vincent Van Go of course!) who will be responsible for lugging us, and all our gear up and down dale this year, to our various art fairs. We might even sneak in a few trips to the seaside if this cold weather finally breaks. It is four seasons every day currently!
We plan to convert the van a few years down the line for stay-overs, but for now we're breaking the van in gently.
Morticia the Mondeo gave us a grand innings but she could no longer cope with the vast number of paintings I do - we hope she enjoys her new, quieter life post SerenArts.

February Showers

Ooh what a relentlessly wet February we’re having. Cold too. Come on Spring we need you. I’ve painted fluorescent fruits recently just to faux warm the studio gallery up. Bright colours can be such a mood boost when outside is dark and miserable. I’m currently working on some bright, abstract (ish!) florals to go to Fusion Art Fair Chester in 65 days. Yes! I’m counting. The lovely cafe owner next door to the studio gallery is keeping me on the straight and narrow - for every book she reads I am supposed to keep up and paint a picture. She is at least five books clear of me currently. I’m going to have to paint some small ones and hope she reads War and Peace if I’m to keep in contention. I embrace the day to day way we egg ourselves along gently.

Happy New Year

Happy 2026 to one and all. Here’s to a New Year full of opportunities and growth, and a healthy dollop of the staples like resilience and fortitude when needed. I am aspiring to getting out and about more this year as it really pushes me onwards with focused painting , and stepping out of my comfort zone more. With that in mind I have applied to three exhibitions this year, to go alongside running our beautiful studio gallery. I have yet to hear back from two as it’s still early days, but I can wholeheartedly confirm I shall be at Fusion Art Fair Chester 24, 25 and 25th April this year. It is their inaugural event and I am very excited already. It always feels a bit special to be part of the beginnings of things. It also gives me the excuse to produce a lot more art! I always try and build up a new body of work for exhibitions to keep it all fresh… I had better get a wriggle on!

What a Year

As December twinkles and sparkles along at a rate of knots to the main festivities, I would like to thank everyone from the deepest part of my heart, for all the kind comments, interest, chats in the studio gallery and artworks bought, to make this my most successful year to date. Art is personal and subjective, so to have the many appreciative, interesting and varied people walking in to spend a little time with me, throughout 2025, has been humbling and exciting. I could not do this without you.
The studio gallery will close it’s doors lunchtime Christmas Eve and then reopen 3rd Jan 2026, during which time vast quantities of sprouts and mince pies will be eaten, and many a noisy, family game played around the table. Wonderful! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here’s to fabulous festivities, peace and happiness. See you in 2026!

Festive Fun

The nights have well and truly drawn in now, and the gallery garden trying to hibernate under of blanket of leaves. Luckily this month we have the Christmas Light Switch On to look forward to, and here at SerenArts studio we will be serving free, hot, mulled cider to spice up our late night shopping. Come and enjoy the music, food and pop-up stalls on Friday 28th November. As an added bonus, Santa will be dropping in for a visit.

Bradford on Avon Pumpkin Trail

There's something spooky going on... look what we're hosting:
BOA's much-loved Pumpkin Trail returns this year, with 37 local businesses taking part from Thursday 23 October through to Halloween. Pick up an entry form from SerenArts, Pumpkin HQ at the Tithebarn Workshops, then hunt down all the pumpkins, note their names and choose your three favourites. Drop your completed form back to SerenArts Gallery by midday on Friday 31 October for your chance to win a spooktacular prize!

Autumn Fayre

The summer has gone really well for us at SerenArts Gallery and to mark the end of the season, this month sees the return of the fabulous Autumn Fayre at the Tithebarn Workshops.

Art in the Pen

I'm very excited to announce I will be exhibiting at this years Art in the Pen in Skipton, North Yorkshire. This very well known and well attended event takes place in the unique surrounds of the Skipton Cattle Market. I've now got lots of work to do!