Sarah Louisa Kilpack facts for kids
Sarah Louisa Kilpack (born in 1839, died in 1909) was a talented artist and musician from Britain. She is famous for her paintings of stormy ocean scenes, especially along the coast.
Her Early Life and Talents
Sarah Kilpack was born in Covent Garden, a lively area in London. Her father, Thomas, owned a popular shop called Gliddon's Divan. This shop sold tobacco and also had a bowling alley.
Even as a child, Sarah was very gifted but also quite shy. She loved doing artistic things like drawing and playing music. When she grew older, she became a special student at the Royal Academy of Music. This was a big achievement, and she learned from a famous teacher named Kate Loder.
Sarah became an Associate of the Academy. This meant she was recognized for her musical skills. She started her career as a pianist, playing in concerts and giving music lessons. The money she earned from music helped her travel outside of London. During these trips, she would often sketch what she saw. After her mother passed away in 1863, her family relied even more on the money she made from her concerts.
From Music to Art
Around this time, Sarah first visited the Channel Islands. She loved them so much that she went back many times. She was a bit shy and didn't always trust people easily. Some people think this shyness is why many of her paintings show wild, stormy scenes.
In 1876, after her father died, Sarah decided to stop her music career. She then focused all her energy on art. She became a very successful artist, especially known for her marine art, which is art about the sea.
She showed many of her landscape paintings at important art shows. Between 1867 and 1909, she exhibited 119 paintings at the Society of Women Artists. She also showed her work at the British Institution. In the early 1880s, she was earning a good amount of money, about £500 a year, just from her paintings. Sarah Kilpack passed away in 1909.
Her Lasting Legacy
Sarah Louisa Kilpack's art is still remembered and celebrated today. In 1989, special stamps were made to mark 150 years since her birth. These stamps showed how important her art was to the culture of Jersey.
You can see her paintings in several museums and galleries. Her works are displayed at the Jersey Museum and Art Gallery. You can also find her art in the Rona Cole Art Gallery on Guernsey. Other places that have her paintings include Chepstow Museum, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, and Belton House, which is a National Trust property.
