The Force is strong with this one: Star Wars artist sets up Bridgnorth gallery
An artist who worked on the Star Wars films has set up a new gallery in Shropshire.
Victoria Coleman has opened the Flying Sausage Gallery, in Whitburn Street, Bridgnorth, to showcase her own work and other local artists.
The 46-year-old, who moved to Highley in February from Sunninghill in Berkshire, did prop-making on films and television – including Gladiator and Star Wars in the late 1990s, before painting Disney characters to go in their flagship stores around the world.
Now, after an impulse decision to move to Shropshire at the start of this year, she enjoys painting animals, creating images that are slightly offbeat, bold and occasionally humorous.
But her favourite animal of all is the dachshund – with the sausage dog inspiring the the unique name of her new gallery and shop.
Despite a relatively quiet start, she is excited for what the future holds and hopes to make the temporary gallery permanent.
"I wanted something that people could remember that was a bit quirky, because I've got a big thing about dachshunds – I wanted to associate it with sausage dog," she said.
"This is the second week that we've been open. I had the potential to stay next year but it all depends on how it goes in the next month or so. It's a massive gamble but very exciting too.
"It's so lovely to be able to work here and be surrounded by things I love. I did prop-making for about 20 years, including quite a bit of film and TV.
"Star Wars was brilliant. I did the armour for a lot of the soldiers. Then I ended up being on set and doing some of the more important characters – there was a lot of helmets and jewellery. I saw Ewan McGregor and nearly passed out."
The gallery features Victoria's work from this year and last and she is working with more than a dozen other artists including jewellers, ceramicists, painters, sculptors and other makers.
Victoria's says her painting technique is all about the detail achieved in the layers which are built up until the essence of the subject has been captured. She uses a mix of water based paints, including emulsion, which work well for both blending and spraying through an air brush.
Today, she is holding a prosecco and mince pie event at the Bridgnorth gallery.
For more information on her work and the gallery visit victoriacolemanartist.com
