Today we’d like to introduce you to Saralene Tapley.
Hi Saralene, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a figurative artist that has been living in the Galveston area for the past 21 years. I moved here in 2005 after living in Ireland, England, Taiwan and Korea. A lot of my childhood was spent in the United States, and I was born here. My Mother is American and my Father is Irish. They had difficulty planting their roots in one place, so we moved every 3-4 years. I competed my BFA in Painting at Dublin, Ireland’s National College of Art and Design and lived there several more years occupying studios at Temple Bar Gallery and Studios and Phoenix Studios. My early work responded to part of my youth growing up in Asia. I, then, transitioned almost completely into portraiture and figurative painting. My BFA program really discouraged painting, so much of my undergrad work was drawing. After finishing my BFA, I realized how much I loved to paint and decided to experiment and learn as much as I could about painting by myself. I’ve explored numerous styles of paint application from pointillism, expressionism, cubist type work, works on paper, life painting, monotype, oils, acrylic, and more. I try to continually learn and improve, so my application of paint seems to evolve with that desire. In 2014, I moved to New York City for three years and obtained my MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art. I loved the programs. They offered extensive classical training in anatomy, life drawing, painting, art history, contemporary art studies, composition, portraiture and more. It was really the place for me I felt. I received a lot of training that I wasn’t able to obtain on my own. I was even awarded a residency to Russia. I left New York, in 2017, and moved back to the Galveston area. I have since lectured and exhibited throughout Houston, Galveston and surrounding areas.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The visual arts is a very unpredictable and inconsistent path in terms of success. Many factors enter into the popularity of the work you create. Some of these factors are not fair or objective. The challenge is to continue creating even in the face of doubt or lack of praise. In addition, the work’s reception has its own time table. The work you are creating now may not be appreciated for several years down the road. Unfortunately, many artists receive notoriety after their death. It is very important, however, to not become discouraged and to create work that speaks to you as an artist regardless of outside influences.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a figurative artist. Most of my work revolves around the human body, face and sometimes the human experience. I love painting, but have a strong foundation in drawing. I have explored various media and styles of paint application. I primarily paint in acrylics. I love fresh, expressive and thick paint application. It’s always full of surprises. The scale I paint tends to be medium to large scale. I have, also, created numerous portrait commissions. It is something that is very challenging, but very rewarding. At the moment I have an exhibition on display including portraits of eight of the World Cup 2026 players.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You will always have a selection of people that love your work and a selection of people that hate your work. Make sure you are one of the people that love your work. Keep creating more. A consistent work ethic will lead to the results you wish to achieve.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Saralenet
- Facebook: Saralene Tapley
- LinkedIn: Saralene Tapley
