changing landscapes
Meet Sally Herriott
Sally Herriott is a British-Canadian impressionist painter living in Saltsjöbaden, near Stockholm. Her work explores light, atmosphere, and the character of the natural world. In the past twelve years, Sally has lived in very different places. She has experienced the gentle countryside of England, the deep winters of Canada, the open spaces of California, and now the archipelago outside Stockholm, where she lives and paints today.
"It's easy to feel somewhat lost when you leave behind what you know. But as an artist, you observe first and paint second. I find wonder in the everyday differences, in what grows and lives in these varied climates and places."
developing my style
My style is instinctive
Sally found her own path to painting and is proud of it.
"I didn't go to art school when I was younger. Instead, I spent over 30 years working in business. When I returned to art, I took charge of my own learning by visiting galleries and taking studio and plein-air courses in oil painting, portraiture, and life drawing. I paint in an instinctive way that seems right to me. I love understanding the natural forms of trees and rocks, and then creating an emotional connection through light, color, and texture."
PAINTING ON LOCATION
Plein Air Painting
Her self-taught approach has helped her develop a style that captures the essence of landscapes and natural scenes. Sally often works outdoors in the plein air tradition, painting small studies on location. She responds quickly to changes in light, weather, and atmosphere.
She draws inspiration from European and Californian Impressionists, as well as Canada's Group of Seven. These artists believed wild landscapes should be painted with as much emotion as any other subject. Sally shares this view: ordinary moments, a changing sky, or a single tree all deserve close attention.
Lumens - landscapes with light
Sally groups her collections under the title Lumens — a word rooted in the measurement of light — because the varying intensity of light across different countries and seasons is at the heart of everything she paints.
"Painting is a source of joy for me. I try not to overthink the process and I love the freedom of mark-making. I often use quite large brushes because my paintings are about capturing atmosphere — not the intricate details of a scene."
Underpinned by careful preparation.
Careful observation is at the heart of Sally’s work. She frequently paints outside on small panels, working quickly to catch the changing light and mood. Later, she turns these studies into larger paintings in her studio. Her art is known for visible brushstrokes, bright colors, and scenes that express movement and passing moments.
"A good painting has a strong composition and a full range of values — from the deepest darks, through the mid-tones, to the lightest lights. Before I start on a large canvas, I plan these elements using quick value sketches or a small study. Spending time really observing what makes a rock formation or a particular scene unique means that once I pick up the oil paints, I'm ready. I know the mood I want to capture — and then I can play freely with color to get there."
The result is work that feels both spontaneous and resolved - paintings that work from across a room but that also reward closer viewing.
Sally Herriott
get in touch
Exhibitions and Commissions
As Sally’s style has developed, she now regularly exhibits in Stockholm and nearby. She also accepts commissions—be it a beloved landscape, a special place, or a piece for a specific space.If you’d like to discuss a commission, ask about a painting, or simply say hello, get in touch.