We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sara Hardin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sara below.

Alright, Sara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve always been a creative kid, often doodling in notebooks during class. Growing up school was not a strength of mine, being dyslexic and ADHD, so I relied on my creativity. My journey into painting began with my first college painting course, where we were encouraged to experiment with color, mark-making, and various painting techniques. I enjoyed the experimental nature of this course, it was freeing. Initially, I focused more on developing my technical painting skills than exploring conceptual ideas. It wasn’t until graduate school, about five years later, that I started thinking more conceptually, delving into the concepts of conscious and unconscious thought.

If I could go back through my learning process, I would give myself more grace. I’m still learning that the creative journey is just that—a journey. It’s a process of constantly cultivating self-acceptance and habitual work practices. While I don’t think I could have sped up the process, I do believe I could have been kinder to myself during the different stages of my artistic practice. This is something I’m continually working on.

For me, the most essential skills are creating daily artist-based habits, frequently experimenting with different painting techniques, and learning about light sources and how to manipulate light in paint to achieve an ethereal effect in my work.

I believe I have been the biggest obstacle in my artistic life. I’ve always had trouble connecting with fellow artists, which has hindered my growth. Building a strong, thriving artist community has been challenging for me. However, I am slowly inching my way out of my shell by attending art openings, talking to new people, and creating the connections I’ve long desired. This part of my journey is ongoing; I still struggle with asking for studio visits and forming long-lasting connections, but I believe these will come with time and effort.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Sara, an oil painter and art educator. I decided to pursue art education as a freshman in college. Growing up in a financially unstable household, I craved stability and health insurance as an adult. While I knew that a career in the arts might not provide that stability, I found a perfect fit in art education. My mentors taught me that being an excellent art educator also meant being an artist myself. Though I still work as an educator, my primary focus is my painting career.

My artistic exploration delves into the complex interplay between the conscious and unconscious realms within the human psyche. In my oil paintings, I collage imagery of domestic spaces, often entwined with natural elements. This fusion reflects the ongoing dialogue within my mind, where I balance controlled brushwork, straight lines, and exploratory mark-making. Inspired by my experiences with therapy, I tap into forgotten moments to understand myself better. I immerse myself in familiar spaces, meticulously capturing nuances through photography and employing collage techniques to mirror the complexity of the human mind.

My art aims to ignite conversations about the intricacies of the human experience. It serves as a visual testament to embracing the mysterious realm of the unconscious while acknowledging the foundational forces of reason and consciousness. I hope to inspire viewers to embark on their introspective journeys, navigating the enigmatic landscapes within themselves.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I felt that as an arts education major in college, we were not taken seriously as artists in our own regard. I still at times, find that others in the art community do not take art educators as serious artists. Often, people think we finger paint all day and do cutesy projects because that may have reflected their own arts education. However, I believe that a person can be both an educator and an artist. It is a difficult task, balancing your own artistic practice while maintaining a full-time and demanding career is challenging and it does slow the process of becoming. I know many art educators who become discouraged from creating for themselves because it’s difficult to find the time or it seems pointless because their works are not being accepted into exhibitions. It’s a difficult hurdle to come across, however, I find that the more I make the effort, the more I apply to open calls, and the more I push my creative bounds the happier and more fulfilled I become.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve had to unlearn many lessons from my childhood. Growing up in Catholic school, despite my family not practicing the faith, instilled a judgmental nature in me. Fortunately, in college, I found a diverse group of friends who regularly debated with me, opening my mind to other perspectives. I am incredibly thankful for them.

More recently, I’ve struggled with major self-confidence issues. I somehow taught myself that I wasn’t enough—not enough to get the jobs I wanted, not enough to get into the exhibitions I was interested in, not enough to truly call myself an artist. Feeling stuck, I pursued therapy to address these feelings of inadequacy. This process began a little over a year ago. I was down on myself, watching my peers get into residencies and exhibitions I had applied for. While I was happy for their achievements, I was also jealous and self-critical.

Through therapy, journaling, gratitude lists, and changing my self-talk, I am working towards self-acceptance and appreciation for my current achievements—like being asked to do this interview for this magazine! While also learning that my self worth in not tied to my artistic achievements, but to who I am as a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hardincreative.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sara_hardin_creative

Image Credits

Personal Photography: Kellie Cross
all other photographs were taken by the Artist Sara Hardin