Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah O’Connor.
Sarah, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
When I was in kindergarten my teacher would always complement me on my drawings. I thoughts to myself, “Why does she like my drawings? I’m just in kindergarten.” With her affirmation of my drawing skills that really encouraged me to continue drawing. As years went on I would go outside with my little lawn chair as a kid with my sketchbook and pencil to draw. I wanted to be an artist. I was really inspired by my older brother and my grandpa. I would always see their beautiful drawing and was blown away.
I wanted to have skill and talent just like them. I would collect quite a few sketchbooks over time and fill up as many as I can. I always wanted to take art lessons in elementary school. Once middle school started I found out that there was an art club. I was ecstatic and attended every club meeting. I was in the club with my older brother. I felt so cool to be in a club with him. Then when I began high school I got to attend LCAD’s portfolio building class. It was so much fun. It was my first actual series of art classes teaching me the true fundamentals, along with learning new aspects of art that I didn’t know already.
I feel like those classes really gave me a better perspective and appreciation for art. Once finishing LCAD’s portfolio building classes I knew that I wanted to attend art school. I then attended Saddleback Community College for a year to strengthen my portfolio before applying to an art school. LCAD was the top school on my list of where I wanted to apply to. I had an art teacher at Saddleback that was an alumnus of LCAD. I asked her if she could help, direct and critique my art so that it will be strong enough to make it in to LCAD. With her help, my portfolio improved. I applied to LCAD and I made it in that following year. I attended LCAD and graduated this past May with receiving a BFA in Illustration.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I love painting fruits, vegetables, animals and landscapes. I feel like when painting each of those topics it puts me in such a Zen, clear mind mode. I love adding anywhere from subtle to bold detail in my art. It feels like that describes me in a sense. I enjoy being on the out circle looking in and observing but then at times I enjoy being a part of the positive energy and moment. Who I am as a person and an artist I feel really connects with my work that I create.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I feel that artists have quite a few roles. We are what help others and ourselves express feelings, inspiration, offer healing, and build creativity for others. I feel like over the years the focus of what an artist’s role changes and varies ever so slightly. In all I believe artists inspire, heal and allow people to express their feelings.
Local, national, and international events and issues affect me in different ways. Depending on the topic at hand my art will change, sometimes ever so slightly. I tend to follow topics about the environment, traveling and food. With following those topics, I feel that my art expresses my feelings and thoughts that fall in the environment, traveling and food topics. Local, national, and international can affect all artists and people in different ways. I feel that it depends on the interest and the impact it has at hand according to that particular artist.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have my work on my website, sarahlikestodraw.com. Another way to view my work is through my Instagram, @sarah.m.oconnor. I also have an etsy shop, Store Art Design where you can purchase some of my work. I do post some of my work and process of my pieces on behance, Sarah O’Connor
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahlikestodraw.com
- Email: s.m.oconnor24@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sarah.m.oconnor
- Facebook: Sarah O’Connor
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