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Conversations with Sarah Caton Wynne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Caton Wynne.

Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m thankful for the opportunity to visit with you today. When I stopped practicing law, I pursued two of my lifelong interests in professional capacities. Writing and painting have always been enjoyable creative outlets for me. It’s been especially fun to turn these hobbies into small businesses.

I co-authored and published an educational children’s book through Bright Sky Press when my children were little. River Royals Master the Mississippi takes readers on an inner tube ride down the Mighty Mississippi to the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. Along the way, the brother/sister duo float under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, meet Melvis in Memphis, and curtsy with a Southern Belle in Nachez. We were fortunate to win a Mom’s Choice Award® and travel to over one hundred schools reading River Royals to children.

The second book that I coauthored, The Fisherman’s Tomb, is the incredible true story of the search for the Apostle Peter’s bones beneath the Vatican during the height of World War II. Houstonian and oil magnate George Strake secretly financed the dig, and female archeologist Margherita Guarducci made amazing discoveries over a twenty-five-year period. The book is currently being made into a feature film and will enter production at the Vatican in 2023. We will update progress on the film on the book’s website: www.thefishermanstomb.com.

In April of this year, John O’Neill and I released our second book together through Regnery Publishing. The Dancer and The Devil: Stalin, Pavlova and The Road to the Great Pandemic describes Joseph Stalin’s poison lab, Laboratory One, and his Paris ring responsible for killing the prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, writer Maxim Gorky, ambassador Raoul Wallenberg and others. It’s Stalinist/Marxist ideology and poisoning techniques spread to North Korea and China and led to the modern release of COVID-19 from a Wuhan lab in 2019. Books and more information are available through our website: www.danceranddevil.com.

A description of my art business is found below in my artist statement. I currently sell on commission through my website (www.sarahcatonwynne.com) and also through Design Supply Store in Birmingham, Alabama and Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida.

Painting is an exercise for me. Not like training for the Austin and NYC marathons that I have enjoyed running. Not like raising children and the exercise in patience and love that affords. For my left brain, an analytical approach to much of life, painting is an exercise in letting go. When I approach a blank canvas, I battle the need for order and perfection and allow myself the freedom to begin.

My painting experience began in the nook between our living room and den. The 3×3 space doubled as a wet bar, so I used the sink to wash out my brushes. However, my painting passion began in elementary school at the easel of a teacher, ironically in her home, as well. Even at that young age, my left brain fought for dominance and my teacher fought back by making me use unexpected color in surprising places. I didn’t see purple in the sky, but she either encouraged me to look again or (gasp) brushed some there anyway. Life isn’t always literal and neither is art. My work remains based in these truths.

Elaine de Kooning was originally better known as Mrs. Willem de Kooning. However, she was also at the forefront of abstract expressionism in her own right and I’m as much drawn to her individualism as I am to her gestural brushstrokes. She said, “My paintings repeat a feeling about Lake Michigan, or water, or fields…it’s more like a poem…and that’s what I want to paint.” I strive for the same in my work. My acrylic paintings are lyrical in nature, with movement and meaning that I feared only resonated with me. I’m so pleased they resonate with others as well.

My studio remains in my Houston home, but now I have a dedicated space filled with light and across from the playroom where young voices punctuate my palette. I look out over a bayou full of life and nature, always changing and inspiring. That same bayou flooded my home during Hurricane Harvey, a constant reminder that life, like water en route to the Gulf of Mexico, is always in flux – good for my right brain and, therefore, my art.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have definitely faced some obstacles with both my publishing experiences and art gallery representation. I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful literary agents to assist with finding the right publishing houses, but it is still a difficult process. While it only takes one publishing house to say “yes” to your manuscript, “no” is a common refrain. As my co-author reminded me, Gone With the Wind was rejected almost 40 times. The publishing industry teaches patience and perseverance. The same can be true in the art world. It’s important to find galleries that feel passionately about my work and even assist my growth as an artist. I’m grateful to have partnered with some wonderful galleries. I’m currently represented by Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida and Design Supply Shop in Birmingham, Alabama.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my writing career, as we’ve discussed, I’ve published two nonfiction books and an educational children’s book. My background as a litigator made for an easy transition into the research and writing required for nonfiction. For example, our recent book, The Dancer and The Devil, has approximately 650 endnotes documenting the veracity of our research and conclusions. While I enjoy this type of writing, I’m intrigued by the idea of writing a fiction novel. I always have ideas swirling around in my head of what might make an interesting plot.

In a similar vein, I like to try new styles in my artwork. Most of my gallery-represented paintings are contemporary landscapes and waterscapes. I love the loose brushwork and ability to take artistic license with color. To keep things interesting in my studio, I enjoy changing my style periodically by painting a pure abstract collection or recently, Slim Aarons inspired realistic pool scenes. Switching styles and subject matter challenges me and makes each day in the studio more fun.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My co-author John O’Neill has taught me a tremendous amount about writing, the publishing industry, marketing a published book through publicists and even selling film rights. He is a New York Times No. 1 bestselling author, a combat Vietnam veteran, a very respected and successful litigator with decades of experience and a wonderful mentor and friend.

A previous art teacher, Daphna Lillienstern, taught me the most about using color and value in my paintings. I am still much more driven by these two components of a painting than I am by subject matter. She encouraged me to take risks with my artwork and stretch my creativity.

Contact Info:


Image Credits
Michael Carr Photography
Taratori Photography

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