Saira Knowles creating one of her hand-painted gift cards in the kitchen of her farmhouse south
of Millbrook.
Saira Knowles arrived in Millbrook with years of experience as an artist and art educator in the UK and Canada. She brings years of experience as an art educator in museums and galleries including Station Gallery in Whitby and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa and a gallery in Manchester, UK. With this extensive art exposure to art, it’s clear she has standards. Her work doesn’t disappoint.
After Covid shut down most art outreach programs, Saira returned to creating art rather than teaching it. For years Saira had been creating hand made greeting cards for family and friends and family, who often kept them on display. In these days of e-vites and texts, the hand-crafteditems were particularly appreciated as lasting gifts. She decided to see if she could make a business out of it, and launched an e-commerce business called The Painted Gift.
She has created a collection of hand-painted greeting cards in water colour that are available as prints or originals. The collection includes sixteen series of cards showcasing her whimsical, colourful designs featuring flowers, animals, landscapes and now sourdough. At the back of each card is a ribbon and a cardboard easel allowing it to be hung on a wall or displayed on a shelf. Some choose to frame them as a piece of art, which in fact they are. She can add a personalized messages to suit the occasion. In these days where cash gifts are common, the hand-made cards add a personal touch, demonstrating thoughtfulness and care to an otherwise impersonal (however welcome) gift and can create a lasting display. This is an important part of the equation: as an art educator, Saira believes that art is for everyone and should be affordable.
Her cards are available on a website created by her husband Rob. Customers can choose prints or original pieces with or without a printed message.
She is going it alone for the moment, avoiding third-party marketplaces and e-commerce websites to maintain her independence. Her products are available for shipping across Canada at the moment, and she’s working out how to ship to the US in the face of new US export regulations.
Visit www.thepaintedgift.comor follow it on Facebook and Instagram where you can find a unique and thoughtful gift for your next gift-giving occasion.