Brighton nail artist: mixed media allows me to create nail art with greater impact
By Lilly Delmage | 13 June 2025 | Feature, Tech Talk
Get to know Scratch Stars Mixed Media Artist of the Year finalist 2025, Sabre van Dijk, in an exclusive interview on her career journey and why she applied for the competition…
Tell us about your nail journey…
I’ve studied art for as long as I can remember: Photography at the University of the Arts London, followed by a Fine Art Painting degree at Brighton University. Feeling lost in life, I later completed a hard gel course, taking a fine art, hybrid approach — and here I am. Working eccentrically has always been a part of who I am, and experimenting has helped me stay both creative and grounded. I fell in love with the nail art process and how naturally it connects to my background in fine art.
Where did you train?
I built my technical foundation at the Elizabeth Sands school in Patcham, which gave me a solid grounding in both theory and practical application. I’ve also invested time in hygiene and anatomy training to deepen my understanding of safe practice. Beyond that, I’d say I’m largely self-taught when it comes to creative development within the industry.
When did you first start experimenting with mixed media?
Mixed media came very naturally to me, even before I had the language for it. With a fine art background, I’ve always been drawn to layering, texture and contrast. I really started embracing it about a year into my nail journey, once I felt confident enough to experiment more freely and lean into what felt intuitively exciting: extreme nail art. Living in Brighton also plays a big role; the people here are vibrant and open-minded, and they embrace my eccentric manicures.
What do you enjoy most about mixed media?
I love the freedom and how immersive it is. Mixed media gives me the opportunity to create art that, in my opinion, has a greater impact. I enjoy the shock factor and the fact that there are no boundaries. I can use texture, depth and unexpected materials to build something so exciting.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
I get inspiration everywhere: music, nature, people, lifestyles, pop culture, even textures I see on the street. It might be the way light hits something at just the right angle, creating an obscure reflection, or the delicate pattern of a butterfly wing. My ADHD brain is constantly connecting random dots, and that chaotic curiosity fuels my creative process and drives my artistic journey.
Why did you enter the Scratch Stars Awards?
Being involved with a platform that empowers an industry and celebrates them so fiercely was only a daydream at the start of this year. I felt recognised and encouraged by Scratch, which gave me the boost of confidence I needed to pursue this next step. Entering the awards was a way to honour myself and my growth so far, pushing me to level up creatively and technically – and I’m really proud of what I’ve put forward!
Why are the Scratch Stars Awards so important within the industry?
Although nail art is growing in exposure and widening acknowledgement, it’s still a very niche, misunderstood medium. It’s also easy for individuals to be overlooked in such a saturated industry. Scratch takes the role of shining a light on creatives and brands. I also appreciate how it’s not just about popularity – skill, creativity and passion take a major role in these awards, and for independent artists like myself, being part of something like this is huge and helps me feel seen and validated!
Read the latest issue
