We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sydney Yeager a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sydney, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

As a child and as a young person I always knew I wanted to be an artist, but for some reason I became convinced that I should study something more “practical” in college, so I majored in English. It took four years of college, a marriage and two wonderful children before I realized that I couldn’t avoid being an artist, so I returned to University to start over again and study art. This decision was not an easy one to make, as our children were quite young and needed both of our attention. Family life changed, but the three of them were, and continue to be, supportive and enthusiastic despite making sacrifices.

The question of whether or not I should have gotten about studying art sooner is one that I often consider. Of course, if I had immediately started studying and practicing art, I would have had many more years to hone my skills, but I’m not sure it would have been a better choice for me.

At the time I initially attended university women were not taken seriously as artists.. The book “9th Street Women” offers a picture of the difficulties women artists faced at that time, and it was much the same when I was in my early 20’s, and attending University of Texas. By the time I returned to University to study art in my late 30s’s, attitudes toward women artists had improved. I found support among other women and institutions like Women and Their Work.

In retrospect, I think that studying art as a fully mature person, and one who was driven and passionate about art turned out better for me than if I had studied art earlier in my life. But who is to say?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a painter. Typically I work on canvases that range from 4 feet to 6 feet. What sets my work apart is large, muscular brush strokes and vibrant color. I have painted on linen for the past decade, and often leave the raw linen untouched. I want to create an interesting tension between the raw linen surface and my brush work.

I am honored to have paintings in several Texas museums. My paintings have also been collected by corporate clients as well as by individual collectors. Most recently, I was a commissioned to paint three paintings, each ten feet by nine feet/six inches. These three paintings are now installed in the lobby of Briarlake Plaza II, a Houston,Texas office building. It was a challenging and fruitful assignment. I am very proud of the results, and grateful to Laura Rathe Fine art for arranging the commission.

Although I sometimes work on commissions like Briarlake Plaza II, I am also constantly at work in my studio on new paintings. I am lucky to be associated with several galleries where my work can be seen. In Texas, I am represented by Laura Rathe Fine Art, Houston and Dallas, and by Davis Gallery, Austin. I am very grateful for the opportunity of working with such excellent galleries.

I am lucky to have spent time in Italy as a visiting artist at the American Academy in Rome, an invaluable experience which continues to influence my work. There I was surrounded by the incredible richness of Rome, and the Baroque painting and architecture I was able to immerse myself in continues to inspire me and to influence my work. Even more importantly, while there, I had a working studio, so I could actively respond to the art that I saw every day. Art history is very important to me. As the saying goes, “We stand on the shoulders giants”.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

It’s a misconception that artists are suddenly struck with a brilliant idea, as if by a bolt of lightning. Actually most artists work every day to improve their skills. Inspiration is something everyone seeks, but not many artists just wait around for that magic moment. Instead, artists work constantly to improve skills and to investigate new avenues. Being an artist is demanding of the body and the mind, and requires constant work and attention.
When inspiration does come, it is at high price.

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

Although being an artist is demanding and requires constant work and a willingness to expose the tenderest parts of my psyche, the reward is doing what I love every day. Making art is an essential part of my existence, and something I can’t imagine giving up. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to practice art for a big part of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sydneyyeager.com
• Instagram: sydney.p.yeager
• Facebook: Sydney Yeager

Image Credits

Dwayne Barnes Photography