About

Art & Design from the quirky to sublime…

Hello!

An actress for over three decades, a disabling condition – Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (LcSSc) – and the respect that is now given to digital art have enabled me to travel in a different direction.  I have always created art of one form or another but now I’m concentrating on Art and Design.  (That’s not to say that if an ideal character came along that I was physically capable of performing, whether on stage or television, I wouldn’t leap at the chance – the bug never leaves you!)

This blog contains my ramblings on art, design, theatre,  history, food, cinema and more, subjects I love. Whether you’re looking for something beautiful, quirky, modern, nostalgic or romantic, or perhaps just strikingly simple, First Night Design is just the ticket, with theatre-related designs a speciality.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I welcome your comments. Please bear in mind that I may not always be able to respond because of ill-health.

Update 5 January 2018: Towards the end of last year I was diagnosed with a second incurable autoimmune condition called Ulcerative Colitis as well as a Hiatus Hernia. Joy of joys!

“Sarah, your work takes on the look of the old masters. Good approach and well done!”
Thank you, artist Skip Willits, for giving me such a beautiful compliment!

Interviews

The Sunday Show – Sarah Vernon – Actress, Artist and Writer

Art

First Night Design
Zazzle Design
Zazzle Vintage
Saatchi Online
See.me
RedBubble
Fine Art America
Flickr
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Writing

Comfort in a Cotton Frock Day 1
Comfort in a Cotton Frock Day 2
Comfort in a Cotton Frock Day 3
Pastoral Lady … A Cautionary Tale
The Railway Carriage – Chapter I – A Taster

My Other Blogs

Rogues & Vagabonds (theatre)
First Night History

Disability: External Links

Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (lcSSc)
Why I use a wheelchair – notes for the hard of thinking… via @rantsfromron

Take care and keep laughing!

Sarah

Sarah Vernon

247 thoughts on “About”

  1. So, perhaps this should be addressed to Sarah? I might have correctly deciphered your signature?
    I agree with both you and Karen about the circus and I have already been accumulating circus ephemera for a Christmas project I have in mind for many of my friends!
    BUT, please help me understand how you layer the images onto the circus poster – I am assuming it is Photoshop or Illustrator (neither do I own or truly understand)
    Thanks,

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Mary. Yes, it’s Sarah here! And yes, it’s Photoshop. I cut out the images in PS and add them in layers to the background. Each layer can then be manipulated separately. The software enables you to create all sorts of different effects. To explain more would probably confuse you if you’re not au fait with PS. Have a look at my post Computer as Art Tool: https://firstnightdesign.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/the-computer-as-art-tool/

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  2. Hi, Sarah. Just finished reading a bit on your condition and it sounds extremely frustrating and, of course, potentially life threatening. Not only do we share autoimmune diseases (of different types) but we share the joy of Working with Photocrash, ah, I mean Photoshop :). I’m an amateur graphic artist and video creator, as well. I wish you well in your health and your efforts in the art world. You do wonderful work (I hate to call it work, when it’s so much fun).

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    1. Hello Kip (love that name!). Great to hear you use the word ‘frustrating’ rather than talk about pain or suffering or such. The frustration is certainly the worst aspect of these conditions. Bless you for your compliments, your following and caring and making me laugh about Photocrash. Yes, the word work, if you love what you do, is a complete misnomer. Take care. Sarah

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      1. Thanks for the props on the name. It came from a TV show back just before I was born about a child named Kip who was a Dennis the Menace type. I’ve lived up to it, too, lol. I always use the word frustration referring to my particular condition because there isn’t any real pain involved, there’s just a lot of numbness and dysfunctional body parts and systems. Suffering I reserve for those so destitute that it makes you want to cry just seeing their conditions. Oh, I’ve gone and rambled on in a comment again (another affliction of mine). Take care of you, Sarah. From Me. [8>])

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  3. These are gorgeous designs, and thanks for visiting my site. I have to say that I have made an error with your comment somehow and lost it, which is why it’s not up on my ‘Exposure’ post. Don’t be offended, I can be pretty rubbish with computers at times. Feel free to try again!

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  5. Hello First Night Design Cards,

    I know it is the 12th of January, but I hope it is not too late to wish you a wonderful New Year. May 2013 bring you more happiness, love, and success. I would like to thank you because you continue following my blog. I hope my blog posts do not disappoint and that your visits in there have been a joyful ride. Thank you again, many blessings and much love to you. 🙂

    Subhan Zein

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  6. Dear Sarah,

    Thank you for adding “The Poor Dog Had None! to your “Posts I Like” section. I am really pleased and flattered (and of course I have no idea how to do this on WordPress). I am enjoying your site no end.

    Thanks again,
    Again

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  8. I’ve recently switched my food blog over to be self-hosted which I hope will make it more user-friendly in the future. As a result, if you were following Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen via email, WordPress, or using RSS feeds through Google Reader or some other way, you are no longer subscribed. If you wish to continue receiving future posts from my blog you will need to re-subscribe. Sorry for the inconvenience, Teresa.

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  10. Very nice to meet you and I’m looking forward to getting into your site. I do want to thank you, not only for visiting mine, but for starting at the beginning – not many people do that.

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  15. Pingback: First Night Design | Paul Cézanne 1839-1906 | First Night Design

  17. Hi Sarah – glad to put a name with the blog! You really have elevated blogging to an art form. Wow. Just wow. Your creativity indeed overflows. Plus, I just love this tag line…

    Art & Design from the quirky to sublime…

    Thanks for visiting me so I could follow the bread crumbs back to you! (after I came down from my Disneyland hangover)

    It’s a pleasure,
    Stephanie

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    1. Your words are balm to the soul, Stephanie. I’m extremely glad our breadcrumbs found each other. (I can’t think of anything worse than a Disney hangover – how do I avoid such?) Thank you.

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  18. Pingback: Pippa Rathborne’s CONTRAblog: Extract from a memoir by Sarah Vernon | First Night Design

  19. Hi, I just stumbled across your beautiful and inspirational blog, I’ve had a wonderful time reading your posts. I’ve signed up to follow and can’t wait to read more. Thank you.

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      1. Just had a most enjoyable browse on your site. You have some wonderful work here. Such a talented & creative lady! I adore your vintage work especially. 🙂

        I notice you’re using POD sites, I just joined FAA myself, hoping to raise a little cash. I’d be interested to know if you’ve made any sales on these sites, or do you have any tips to share?

        Thank you for following my blog, I look forward to viewing more of your lovely work. 🙂

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  24. Thank you so much for the follow you have bestowed on my blog, it is really appreciated and I am pleased to welcome you aboard. If you have any suggestions or requests just drop me a line. Now I better go and find more about your artistic life, MM 🍀

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    1. Peace is so important. If only we realised when we are younger how much we need it, if only to gird the loins before setting out on the next youthful adventure! Thank you for the compliments.

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  27. Hi! Thanks for stopping by ritaLOVEStoWRITE and for the follow. I’ve been looking around your blog…. very interesting! I love the art work. Thanks for sharing your gift.

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  29. Hi Sarah. Thanks for visiting my blog and the follow. I love the vintage look of your artwork. I too enjoy an array of art and craft projects.

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  31. Sarah just wanted to say thanks for checking out my blog and for the follow. I like your style of art work and will be checking back often to see what your up to..

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  33. Hello! I so appreciate your following my “Randa Lane…” haiku blog! I could never create the exquisite art that is your gift and talent, but with my words I would hope that I do some good in the world. *smile* I would love it if you could comment from time to time, as comments help me do a better job. Finally, your site is just exquisite…a blessing for the eyes and for the heart!

    With Respect and Admiration,

    Ron

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  38. Thank you for recently following my blog. The best to you with your art, acting, writing and especially in your health. I hope you regain your health. I can totally relate to you on the health issues as I have some too that have limited me lately from doing more things I enjoy.

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    1. Bless your for your comments, Joyce. I’m unlikely to regain my health, alas, but as long as I can keep it in check, I’ll be happy! I hope you are able to deal with your problems and keep strong and positive. Thank you for visiting.

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      1. Thank you, also. It is my faith that helps keep me looking at the positive. It is easy to get down about health issues that linger on. It is harder to get up and keep going, but with God’s hep it can be done. That is our hope, in HIm. God bless you.

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  45. Thank you so much for following my blog thus leading me to yours – I am SO enjoying reading through your posts and look forward to many more! 🙂

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  46. Hi! Thank you so much for liking my stuff, you inspire me to continue on the path to light, following my flow, which has been rather blocked lately, also by self sabotage… Thank you for your beautiful art!

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  50. Hi, Sarah! Thank you for following my blog! Yours is lovely. I enjoyed looking at the elegant, personal artwork. I wish you the best of luck with your condition and hope you continue to find joy in art 🙂 . Take care — Matt

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  51. Thank you so much for following my blog; I’ve just had the best time looking all over your blog. A lot of great things here, and I look forward to our connection here for a lot of art and creativity time.

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  54. Forgive me for not yet replying to your lovely comments recently. I hope to do so over the next couple of days. I’m exhausted and my connection is being very irritating. In the meantime, I hope you have a relaxing and uplifting weekend!

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  55. Hello Sarah. I just wanted to drop by and thank you for following my blog and wish you the best of luck in all your future blogging. I also wanted to mention that your artwork is very delicate and beautiful. Keep up the good work.

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  57. Hi Sarah!
    Thanks for following my blog Tree at alivetree.wordpress.com
    Wow…I’d love to have the talent and motivation to do art and spread beauty in the world through colors and visuals.
    God Bless!
    Paula

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  58. Thank you for taking the time to explore my blog and choosing to follow! Hope I can live up to expectations. Look forward to viewing and learning more about you and your work.

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  59. good eve, my dear,
    i was updating some earlier-in-the-year posts and reading comments from my lovely readers. i came across our exchanges and wondered if i had followed up to see what your ‘about’ page said about your own health issues. i do deeply apologize for my shortcomings in this! I remember reading this but see i didn’t leave you a comment that i saw as i skimmed thru. Quite remiss of me! i am sure you felt my apparent lack of care. please forgive me my lack of cognitive functioning at times! Oy!

    I hope you are doing well and enjoying life as we go into spring/summer. And i hope you are feeling well enough to do all that your heart desires. i want to catch up on the blogs i read now that i have time again… i look forward to reading your offerings of late. 😉

    much love to youxxx

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  60. Hello again! I just wanted to say that I can’t thank you enough for re-blogging my stories, and for your wonderful, kind comments (such massive compliments, I was speechless). It means so much to get such huge encouragement and to know that you are enjoying reading them. Enormous Thanks. Take care. Rebecca

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    1. How very lovely! Thank you so much. I am a little behind on catching up with awards, not least because of this latest setback with a poorly computer but I will get to it eventually!

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    1. Thank you! Most of my work is what you might call collage in that I collect various images – my own or public domain – and meld them together. Some are done with painting or drawing software and some are a mix of the two methods. Various pieces end up being true collage while others I blend into a picture that stands on its own. I work digitally because of disability.

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  70. Glad, that I found your blog and thousand thanks that moorezart nominated you for the versatile blogger award…otherwise I would not have found you.

    Warm greetings from Vera 🙂

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      1. I hate it when that happens and it has happened to me too many times – floating in the ocean with an inadequate rudder! No worries and reciprocating is not at all necessary. To me these are like gifts to bless others!

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    1. Heather, that’s so sweet of you and thank you! I still need to do a post explaining why but I’ve become an award-free blog as I simply can’t keep up! When I do write said post, I will make sure I include a link to you and your site. My apologies.

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  75. Sarah, I’m trying to come up with a Christmas gift idea for my adult daughter–and thought of you. (The piece of yours I’m still planning on for myself is Manuscript, that intertwines writing and music.) My daughter is both a successful print journalist and (non professional) ballerina. Do you have anything in your cache of gems that you’d suggest? (Or maybe this sparks an idea for a new project! 🙂 )

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  76. Sarah, the more I read about you and the more of your writing I read, the more I find you a deeply interesting and dynamic woman. I think I shall have to come back continually to probe further and relish in the delight of your talents. Cheers to you!

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    2. Just catching up as I have my new computer in my hot little paws! I’m very honoured that you should have nominated me. In fact, I’ve become an award-free blog but I shall add your link to my Award Free page. Thanks again, Patrick.

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  84. Thank you finding my blog, I am starting to pick up and getting back to a little blogging today…The pain level that I have had has been intolerable I have not been able to think at all. Bone pain is worse than child birth I reckon..

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  88. Hi just stop by your beautiful blog! Thanks for the like on my blog! I love digital Art especially collages, I do myself all the collages on my website I love digital Art beside my jewelry, Please feel free to stop by…Right now I follow you!

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  89. Don’t feel obligated to accept, but you have a wonderful blog and want to let others know they should check your work out 🙂 Dohttps://alexraphael.wordpress.com/2015/05/23/awards-three-of-a-different-kind/

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  92. Dear Sarah, thank you for following my blog on art and it is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to exploring your artwork and posts on theater. I was a theater major once myself– mainly I am fond of Shakespeare, Brecht, Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekov, O’Neil and Williams although I also love Caryl Churchill. Best, k

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  93. Hi, Sarah! Thanks so much for following my blog. I will reciprocate since I find yours very interesting. I love art and making things too, although I must be the world’s worst actress, in spite of being made to play all male roles at school, since I was the tallest in my class! I also suffer from a boring disease (Lyme) so I feel for you. Interesting that you live in Crete – should you ever feel like/have the time to do a short guest post for me about life/the theatre/the situation there, I would be delighted!
    All the best, Marina

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    1. I feel for you suffering from Lyme’s. There are a lot of us decrepit people about on the internet, I’ve discovered! When I have a moment, I’d love to do a guest post for you. Thanks so much for the follow.

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  95. Pingback: And FEATURED is…. | YesterdayAfter

  102. Dear Sarah, thank you so much for affording me the opportunity to connect with your most beautiful & delicate blog,it s very much appreciated,I look forward to reading your posts & sharing them,once again lovely to meet you…Pat Carroll, artinmanyforms

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    1. I’ve deleted it now because while I was able to read the whole article without a subscription, Beetley Pete told me he was having a problem. I clicked the link and had the same problem. Bloody irritating as it was a very interesting article that rather put paid to the notion that she didn’t say anything about contemporary wars and so on in her novels. Sorry to disappoint.

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  106. Pingback: Bloggers Helping Bloggers | Cynthia Reyes - Author

  107. A wonderful blog. Just found you. I moved to France this year for health reasons and started my blog. Finding my feet for that and how to manage my unwell days. I am looking forward to reading about your cards as I would love to create with my floral and landscape work. Photoshop installed but yet to fathom layers etc. I feel a little daunted by my new life. I think your posts will help give some inspiring support. Regards Judi

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    1. I hope they will help, Judi. I’ve come back to the UK and my health and I are missing Crete! I’m not posting so much these days for health reasons but there are lots of posts to look back to! I wish you luck and strength and thank you for such a lovely compliment!
      Sarah

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      1. Well I wish you well and hope you can post when you feel you can. Health does come first and a bit of compromise. The weather in France is proving good for my asthma but the back problem an issue. So I think lots of blog reading and tea is the only solution! Regards for now. Judi

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