We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sarah Holloway Smith.. Check out our conversation below.
Sarah, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I am just home from a 2 week Art residency at Chateau D’Orquevaux, rural France @chateau_orquevaux .
I wish I’d done it years ago. 27 incredible Creatives, visual, written and musical working together presenting, sharing and collaborating in an incredible historical setting of a splendid Chateau..
I was totally overstimulated by all that was on offer- visual, historical and cultural.
I drew and painted 8-5pm everyday, gathered information and inspiration to the home with me.
I built friendships and learned from other artists. We attended group mentoring sessions, shared open studios and leaned into each other’s gifts. Food and wine matched the setting. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a mixed media artist.
That is, I use a mixture of different medium collage, painting, drawing and printing with ink, paint, pencil, pastel, stencil, alcohol, water, and everything else to build my images on canvas and paper.
I’ve been practicing my craft for over 40 years now. I’m inspired by most natural forms and environments.
I use sketches and photos as reference, I build composition from these adding to the inspiration I get from plein air work. I utilize my background in textiles and stained glass, in that I build images through layers, often on a colored or textured ground to which I add and subtract color, texture, pattern and line to tell the story that is in my mind.
I’m currently rebuilding my portfolio and I’m going to relaunch a new website once I have a cohesive body of work to offer to galleries and online platforms ( early 2026). I have been working on a series of Landscapes for the past year, I have about 18 pieces that I really like. Fall 2025 will see the start of a new series, probably wildlife. I have a new assistant who will help with the digital/technical part of my work, allowing me to focus on time at the easel. I’m very excited to see what the next few months bring.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The Sarah who always put others before herself. I have been working hard on learning to love and accept the Sarah Holloway smith of ‘now’. I’m an empty-nester and though I was dreading this stage of my life I have found that my creativity has grown to fill that space and I am very excited to see what my studio time brings.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, many !
Last year I became increasing dissatisfied with my portfolio and the retail spaces where I’d placed my work. My creativity wasn’t progressing as I wanted it, I was working small and not expanding ideas and developing projects because I wanted my work to sell so I allowed my self to be restricted in size and type.I questioned everything about my work.
Small things about the retail spaces began to bother me, poor light, poor situation of my work in their space and still I was giving up 40-60% commission on each piece with very poor sales. At the end of 2024 I decided to withdraw all of my work and ‘start again’.
This past year of developing one idea and not feeling pressured to launch it has been fantastic and shown me that I can develop a cohesive body of work. Now I just have to create more and then put it out to the world.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Quality and authenticity.
I want to be able to genuinely communicate to others the ‘what, when and why’ of every piece I create. There’s always a reason behind creativity, every idea starts somewhere and I always want to be able to give that gift to anyone interested in my work.
I want those who look at my work to be able to recognize the true love and passion in it.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
In my sunny studio, listening to a quality novel, deep in the process of developing a unique piece of work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_sarahhollowaysmith_
Image Credits
Sarah Holloway Smith.
