Featured Artist: Sarah Wyman

Oh, I am so happy to introduce you to Sarah Wyman.
I happen to think she is an artistic genius. 
I love her textures so much.  I love the eyes, in every single piece. 
I own three of her prints, but one day I hope to own a very large original.
I love all of the artists in Sharing Stitches, but Sarah's art touches my heart in a way I can't even explain.
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your paintings with the world.
Her interview is below:

Tell us about your art, Sarah. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?
My art is considered mixed-media, collage, modern and folk. Primarily I create female figurative pieces, though have recently began a series of bird paintings. I use acrylic paints, charcoal, pencil, oil pastels and colored pencils as mediums as well as lots of paper, usually vintage or antique atlases and magazines. I would say the paper collage element of my work is my favorite material and am always on the look out for beautiful maps to use. Lately I have been tearing up paper into little pieces and treating it almost as a mosaic.

What inspires you?
Art history inspires me. Learning about the great masters of the past and how and why they created the work they did. It makes the pieces I see in museums and books so much richer and real to me. I am near completion of a degree in art education and will have a minor in art history. I can’t wait to share my passion with my students and enrich the history and social studies lessons they will have in regular classes.

 How do you define "artistic success"?
I achieve artistic success each time I complete a painting. I feel proud of each thing I accomplish, (even when it’s not great) because I feel like I am learning and growing every time I pick up a paintbrush. So many people say they wish they could paint, and I say you can! I wasn’t born knowing how to mix colors and render, but through years of working at it I am finally getting somewhere. Not everyone has the high level of interest in art that I have and that is the difference. I don’t think it’s a mystical gift that was bestowed upon me, it was just that art is my passion and therefore I am happiest when doing ‘art’.

Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I have always enjoyed art. I remember getting so excited when a Highlights magazine would feature a craft, like making a caterpillar out of egg cartons. I’m in awe of all the great books and shows and materials kids have now to get them inspired and crafting. But I get to experience it all over again now with my two kids. The first thing I sewed (with my mom’s help) was a little red felt stocking for a school project. Then in sixth grade I got a sewing machine as a birthday present and started making clothes for my Cabbage Patch doll. I love sewing, but have not had much time for it lately.

Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.
I like creating in the morning, when I’m fresh and energetic. It doesn’t always work out though, between kids and other obligations. The ideal morning is when both kids have school and I have at least two hours till I have to pick up my preschool age daughter. I prefer to do packaging and listing items in the evening, when I’m slowing down after the busy day. Someday I would like to treat this more as a business with regular hours, but that is a ways off, till my kids are both in full day school. Until then I just do the best I can, and try to be the best mom for them because they are growing up too fast!

Go check her out and send her some love:
 
http://sarahgreenweeds.blogspot.com/
http://shop.ebay.com/green_weeds/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahwyman