We recently connected with Sarah Hessinger and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was fortunate to take classes at the Albright Knox Art Museum and the now Buffalo AKG Art Museum in high school. While I was wandering the museum halls, which housed a complete collection of masterpieces, the paintings were my teachers. They instructed me as I studied the surfaces, like technique books, observing what paint could do.

While at the Albright Knox Art Museum, I was privileged to visit Susan Rothenburg’s 1993 exhibition. The exhibition featured eighty paintings and drawings from over two decades, leaving a lasting impression on me. The uncomplicated, simplified imagery and powerful brushstrokes made their way into my subconscious, inspiring me to dedicate myself to my visual language as a painter. Witnessing a woman produce such a vast exhibition instilled in me the belief that I could achieve such a feat one day.

As an adolescent, I often struggled to find my calling and place in the world. During my time in the museum, I realized there was a place in the world where I truly belonged. It was within the realm of painting. I understood that this was a profession I could pursue despite the challenges it presented. I was aware that becoming a painter was not an easy path, but I was determined to follow it. I knew that it would demand dedication and drive, but I was ready to find my voice as a painter, master it, and share it with the world.

Sarah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a self-taught painter, I’ve embarked on a journey fueled by determination and dedication. Staying true to my artistic voice, not taking rejection personally, and being open to criticism have been crucial in my growth as an artist. Despite life’s challenges, drawing and painting have always been my constant companions, helping me navigate through the chapters of my life.
Now, art is not just a hobby but a transformative force in my life. It guides me through the ups and downs and inspires curiosity.
2015 was a turning point in my life. Amidst life’s challenges, I gained confidence through sharing and selling my art. As I gained momentum and my audience grew, I turned to collectives, virtual meetings, and online classes to get help. The power of artist communities, both online and in person, gave me the tools I needed to keep creating and sharing my art.
Pursuing this dream over the past ten years has changed my life. My artistic practice has provided a sanctuary and a place to shatter the tough armor I had built to protect myself; exploring my physiological, emotional, and spiritual bodies in the studio has become a ritual of self-care and repair. Through this journey, Connecting to the creative consciousness allows me to have no restrictions or boundaries to my imagination. In return, my wildest dreams are coming true.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being an artist and pursuing one’s creative endeavors are not easy paths. However, one can find resiliency and repair if approached with compassion and an open mind. Working with your hands can provide hours of timeless creation and focus, easing anxiety and toxic stress. Meaningful connections will build communities that foster healing and growth. For the artist, self-care must be prioritized, which is the greatest reward.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Sharing my art and story with the world has been a lifelong dream. In this endeavor, I aim to inspire others to find a calling that facilitates personal healing. By creating works about my surroundings and using natural elements in my paintings and installations, I aim to inspire repair in our relationships with nature. I believe that each of us, through our actions, can contribute to the healing process and start to repair environmental degradation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahhessingerart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahhessinger/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahhessingerart/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHessinger
• Other: https://www.visionaryartcollective.com/artist-directory/sarah-hessinger

Image Credits

Willy Soma