Friday, June 6, 2025

Sarnia de la Mare Launches The Autism Caravan Fundraising Campaign








My name is Sarnia and I am a mother and grandmother to wonderful autistic and ADHD individuals who bring me delight each day.


Travelling with AuDHD can be difficult and I want a mobile safe space to offer at festivals and fairs around the country. Here is a breakdown of our project.


Fundraiser Description:
A Sensory Sanctuary on Wheels – Bringing Joy, Relief, and Inclusion to Festivals and Events Across the UK


Hello friends, families, and supporters,



We are excited to introduce The Autism Caravan – a fully equipped, mobile sensory space designed to bring comfort, fun, and inclusive engagement to children and young people with autism and ADHD. Our mission is simple but powerful: to create safe, stimulating environments at festivals and events where neurodiverse children can play, explore, and relax – while offering vital information and support to their parents and carers.








What We’re Creating:
The Autism Caravan will be a converted motorised vehicle fitted with:


Soft play equipment for safe, active movement.


Sensory toys and tools to calm, stimulate, and engage.


A quiet tent for decompression and quiet time, for children who need a break from the noise and bustle of the outside world.


A gazebo and awning setup to provide shaded, weather-protected outdoor space for workshops, crafts, and family interaction.


Tech & Interactivity:
Our goal is to provide three touchscreen stations, all connected and loaded with:


Custom apps and software specifically designed for neurodivergent users aged under 16.


Entertainment and games that are calming, engaging, and adaptable for ADHD and autism spectrum users.


Rainy day activities that can be enjoyed indoors, including drawing tools, sensory stories, and audio-visual puzzles.


The tech will be secured, safe, and easy for children and families to use with little assistance.


On the Road with Purpose:
We aim to travel to:


Family-friendly festivals


Community days


Educational and health events


Awareness campaigns


Special autism-focused celebrations


Wherever we go, The Autism Caravan will offer:


A calm retreat from overwhelming environments.


Inclusive fun and learning experiences that build confidence.


Information and signposting for carers and families on support services, therapies, and local resources.


Why It Matters:
Autistic and ADHD children are often excluded or overwhelmed at public events due to lack of provision. The Autism Caravan is a direct response to this gap. We are building a space where children can just be themselves – free of judgment, fear, or sensory overload. A place that values their joy, needs, and potential.


️What We Need Help With:
We are fundraising for:


The vehicle itself – a reliable van or caravan suitable for safe conversion.


Interior fitting and conversion for sensory use.


Soft play & sensory equipment


The quiet tent, gazebo, and awning


Touchscreen devices + software licenses


Activity materials, books, and educational toys


Fuel, insurance, and travel costs for our first tour


Website & app development for future bookings and info-sharing


We estimate a starting need of £15,000 – £25,000, depending on vehicle availability and conversion costs.


How You Can Help:
Every single donation will take us a step closer to launch. If you can:


Donate anything you can afford


Share this page with your network


Sponsor a piece of equipment or a festival stop


Connect us with vehicle donors, tradespeople, or tech partners


We would love to hear from you. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of so many children and families who need more than just inclusion – they need spaces designed for them.


Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let’s build a caravan where all minds can shine.


Sarnia de la Mare

#autismcaravan


$30.00
$29.39
$40.50


Monday, March 24, 2025

'I Remember' by Sarnia de la Mare #poetry



I remember youth 

Like it was yesterday 

 A bouncing rainbow

On acid

Someone’s unkempt heirloom

Such vigour and poise

Such saccharin dreams


I remember love like 

It was always tomorrow 

An ever-ready pink bunny

Oiled loins and fat thighs

Preened like a ready meal

In a bitter-sweet sauce


I remember children 

Like they were forever 

Squealing writhing brats 

Of genes pushed into hope

Biological satisfaction 

Smothered in fear

And syrup


I remember living 

Like it never ends

Just trying to breathe

Fleshy moments wedged 

In a gas chamber 

A never-ending celluloid

Flickering in the darkness of 

The existential abyss


And I remember death 

Like a promise to a baby deer

The lightening trajectory 

Of a bullet

In a green forest

With rustling leaves that whisper

This is it

Here it comes



©2025 Sarnia de la Mare





$1,280


Digital, 20 W x 33 H x 0.1 D in


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Digital, 19 W x 27 H x 0.1 D in


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Painting, 30 W x 40 H x 2 D in


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Digital, 10 W x 14 H x 0.1 D in


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Digital, 16 W x 23 H x 0.1 D in


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$1,010


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


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$8,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


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$1,590


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


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$10,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


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$10,130


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in



$10,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


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sold

$1,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100


sold

$10,080


Digital, 41 W x 17 H x 0.1 D in





Digital, 12 W x 12 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Digital, 12 W x 12 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Photography, 12 W x 30 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Photography, 282 W x 171 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,610


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


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$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


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$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


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$30,120


Digital, 48 W x 48 H x 0.1 D in


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Sunday, March 23, 2025

Of Paint and Poems by Sarnia de la Maré FRSA

Of Paint and Poems: A Journey Through Art and Verse

By Sarnia de la Mare

Art and poetry have always shared a unique symbiosis, each offering a perspective that enriches the other. In my latest picture book, Of Paint and Poems, I weave these two expressive forms together, creating a deeply personal and immersive experience for readers. This collection is a visual and lyrical odyssey—one that invites contemplation, emotion, and a fresh way of engaging with art.

The Vision Behind Of Paint and Poems

For years, my artistic practice has revolved around the interplay of texture, color, and emotion. With this book, I wanted to take that dynamic further by integrating words that enhance and transform each piece. Rather than serving as mere descriptions, the accompanying poems act as companions, sometimes echoing the artwork’s mood, sometimes offering an entirely new perspective. The result is a layered experience that encourages readers to see beyond the surface and feel the stories within the brushstrokes.

A Glimpse Inside

Each page of Of Paint and Poems is a carefully curated moment, presenting paintings that span my artistic evolution, paired with verses that flow in harmony. Some images are bold and kinetic, while others are subtle and introspective. The poetry shifts in tone, from meditative whispers to urgent declarations, mirroring the emotions embedded within the art.

In one spread, a vivid explosion of blues and golds is met with a poem about longing and the sea’s restless embrace. Another juxtaposes a monochromatic portrait with a quiet, introspective reflection on time’s passage. This balance between image and word creates an immersive rhythm, much like the dialogue between music and movement.

Who Is This Book For?

Of Paint and Poems is for anyone who finds solace in creativity. Whether you are an artist, a poet, or simply someone who loves to lose yourself in the interplay of visuals and words, this book offers something special. It is a collection for those who appreciate art’s ability to speak without explanation and poetry’s power to capture what lies beneath the surface.

The Creative Process

Bringing this book to life was an organic yet meticulous process. Some of the artworks existed before the words, while others were born from lines that lingered in my mind. I allowed the images and text to converse, revisiting each pairing until they felt inseparable. This fusion of visual and verbal storytelling was as much about instinct as it was about refinement—a journey of discovering how both forms can amplify each other’s impact.

Launching Next April on Amazon and Kindle

I’m thrilled to announce that Of Paint and Poems will be available for purchase starting this April on Amazon and Kindle. You’ll be able to order both the print and digital editions, making it accessible to readers worldwide.

I will be sharing more about its journey in upcoming exhibitions and readings. If you’d like a signed copy, feel free to reach out!

Thank you for joining me on this creative exploration. I hope Of Paint and Poems resonates with you, sparks new interpretations, and encourages you to see art and poetry as intertwined expressions of the same boundless human experience.


 









$1,280


Digital, 20 W x 33 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Digital, 19 W x 27 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Painting, 30 W x 40 H x 2 D in


Prints from $100





Digital, 10 W x 14 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Digital, 16 W x 23 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,010


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$10,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $40



$8,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,590


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $40



$10,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$10,130


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in



$10,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100


SOLD 

$1,090


Digital, 25 W x 25 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100


SOLD 

$10,080


Digital, 41 W x 17 H x 0.1 D in





Digital, 12 W x 12 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Digital, 12 W x 12 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Photography, 12 W x 30 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100





Photography, 282 W x 171 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,610


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $40



$1,310


Digital, 36 W x 36 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $100



$30,120


Digital, 48 W x 48 H x 0.1 D in


Prints from $40



View All 68 Artworks