Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Hardin
Hi Sara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a creative kid, I grew up around artists. My parents owned a tattoo studio and I would often track flash when I was bored hanging out at the studio. Going into college, I wanted a more stable income and choose to go into Art Education. Luckily, I feel in love with teaching visual arts. 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. After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I began teaching visual arts at the high school level. After, a few years I decided to pursue my MFA at the University of New Orleans, there I concentrated in painting and print making. There I dove into the more conceptual side of visual arts. My work became about the connection between memory and place. I learned to combine juxtaposing architectural elements to create dream like images. Now I am nearly 2 years out of my graduate program and I am in a state of play. I am experimenting with different painting methods and materials, its a really fun and confusing time in my art making journey.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
lol…. No, of course not. I think my biggest struggle was imposter syndrome. As an art educator, especially in my earlier years, I felt like I couldn’t Identify as an artist because I was not regularly making and selling my work. It took me several years and a masters degree to prove to myself that I am in fact an artist. Now my main struggle is direction. I am not sure where I want this artist road to take me, but I am accepting that being an artist is not a goal, but a way of living.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My oil paintings delve into my internal landscape’s enigmatic and ever-shifting depths, a quest to unravel the intricate relationship between the conscious and the unconscious within my mind. I intertwine imagery of architectural structures with fragmented domestic spaces, often overgrown with foliage. This intentional interplay between the rigid elements of a structured world and the exuberant growth of nature reflects the ongoing dialogue within my mind—a delicate dance between the desire for control and organized thought and the unrestrained exploration of dreams and memory in my subconscious. This concept began as I started therapy, utilizing EMDR, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. The act of tapping into the unconscious mind, the forgotten moments to better understand my reactions, emotions, and ultimately myself. In the creative process, I immerse myself in the intimacy of familiar spaces, meticulously exploring the nuances of my own and others’ homes as a keen observer. Through photography, I document these moments and employ collage techniques to construct my layered compositions, mirroring the complexity of the human mind’s landscape. Through my art, I aspire to spark a dialogue about the intricacies of the human experience, illuminating the profound unity that emerges when the conscious and the unconscious converge. My work serves as a visual testament to the extraordinary harmony found in embracing the mysterious and fertile realm of the unconscious while acknowledging the foundational forces of reason and consciousness that shape our lives. I hope that my creations inspire viewers to embark on their introspective journeys, navigating the enigmatic landscapes within themselves.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am currently looking to create an artist collective. this is just a simple way to stay accountable for creating, to have critiques, and talk about art. If anyone is interested please reach out my instagram is @sara_hardin_creative
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hardincreative.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sara_hardin_creative
Image Credits
Jason David White (Portrait)