About Sara Richardson

zero to 60 in moments

I wasn’t born with a brush in my hand nor did I start drawing when I was 3. I grew up in a small town where art was not really essential (at the time) which meant I had a late start compared to some of my colleagues.

It was my 3rd year in college when I suddenly learned I had a talent for painting. Some of my personality traits helped propel me through this period in my life. I went from zero to 60 in moments and did it while battling progressive severe ulcerative colitis.

Determined

I graduated with a BFA and honors in painting and was accepted into the MFA program at University of Washington, Seattle. There was a point during this time I was becoming extremely ill and thought I would have to drop out of grad-school. I refused. I mean it – I absolutely refused. I took 3 months off, had 3 major surgeries and stubbornly insisted on returning as soon as I could. Call me Ms. Determined.

Bananas & More

After grad-school to fund my studio pursuits and ultimately help support my family, I worked as an interface designer that led to a stellar career in web development. I wrote for Yahoo! and Microsoft, was a guest expert for Microsoft Small Business and the lead creative force behind countless companies including many big named brands such as WD-40 Company and Chiquita Bananas. During my web career I continued to make art, but there was always an element of unrest because of the constant divided attention between a demanding career and time in the studio. In 2012, I made one of the best decisions of my life — to return my entire focus to painting, drawing and photography. I have never been happier.

“I feel fortunate to have lived and worked all over the place (Washington DC being my favorite in some ways) and seen/breathed-in/felt so much. It feels great to be in my studio 100% — it’s where I am meant to be.”

Being and artistry is poetic liberty. Profound and full of discovery where I am free to engage in the process of painting with a thoughtful purposeful hand. I find myself deliberately creating works of contradiction where the beautiful lives on one side – organized disaster on the other.

Cerebral paired with romantically obvious elements. Intent. Gentle brutality and unpredictable humor. These conflicting elements begin to reform meanings and plots in the unfolding drama of found spaces – defined through color, canvas and imprint.