Interview with Sarah

1. How long does it take you to do a painting? 

The length of time depends on the size of the painting and detail involved.  Faces always take a lot more time because of the subtleties of skin tones.  That said, a painting like "Titanic" which is a 9.5 x 11.75 probably took the better part of 3 days.  When I say that though, I am including research and setting it aside to work on something else while it dries.  In truth, I don't like having paintings linger for a long time as I will lose interest.  I recently heard a story of a woman who spent a whole year painting a milk can.  I can't even begin to imagine that!

2. How long have you been painting? 

I started painting relatively seriously in my teens but took it to the next level when I went to art school in 1993.  Recently, I have decided to dedicate myself to it full time.

3. Do you have formal training? 

I attended a college art program at Heritage College.  I studied under renown illustrator Linda Sanborn, painter Kenneth Peters.  I later studied multimedia and web design.  Today, I still like to take the occasional online course for fun.  You can always learn something from other artists.

4. What artists inspire you? 

I loved art history.  At one time, I thought of Jansen as my best friend.  There are so many fabulous artists.  If I had to pick a time I'm influenced by it's probably the Renaissance but I am a huge fan of Degas, Dali, Van Gogh to name a few.

5. Do you paint live models? 

I certainly have.  To be honest though with the level of detail I like to do in faces, I doubt any model would ever have the patience to sit for me.  I prefer to paint from pictures and take my time to capture what lies behind the face.

6. You live ocean side but do not paint it, why? 

The ocean is inspiring.  I go to sleep listening to crashing waves every night and am in complete awe of its power.  That said, I am not a landscape painter and can't say that I have a huge interest.  Sometimes, I will deviate from my comfort zone and attempt something different.  This usually results in mixed success.  

7. Why do you chose acrylic paint as your medium of choice? 

I have painted with watercolour and oil.  To me, watercolour is unruly.  Oil, well between the long drying time and the horrible clean up, I frankly don't enjoy it.  Acrylic gives me a nice balance and allows me to mimic the effects of either of the other two mediums.

8. You have lived in many different countries and on several continents, does this factor into your work? 

Yes and no.  I learned so many things (and languages) living in different countries.  I'm sure it factors in somewhere.  Perhaps more than the places themselves is the history I learned/saw in each different place. 

9. How do you go about roughing in your paintings? 

 

I use different methods.  Sometimes I go to paint directly or I will use pencil or chalk depending on the level of detail.

 

10. Will you paint commissions? 

I will accept commissions under the right conditions.  I would need to be inspired by the subject.  If not, I think everyone loses. 

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More questions?  Contact me via the web site or connect on social media.

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