We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Mays a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
At the beginning of 2020, when the pandemic began. I thought to myself, clearly anything can happen so you might as well be pursuing a career that makes you happy to contribute and be alive every day. Even the days, when I am struggling, are the days I know what I’m capable of, those are the days I know I’m doing what I love more than anything. I’d rather struggle to get it right as a painter than any other job, and that’s the only truth that makes me want to improve!
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.
My name Is Sarah Mays. I’m a contemporary artist, creative educator & writer working from my studio in Fort Collins, Colorado. My work is primarily mixed media, I embrace exploring any medium for the sake of creative abundance. I believe the process of creating art brings mental peace and offers us a place to meditate on life’s immense beauty and difficult complexity. I hope to convey the beauty of that layered complexity in my work and empower artists of all backgrounds and abilities to embrace the creative process over the end result. My childhood was full of unique experiences. My family traveled to many places when I was young, including living in the U.K. during my formative early teen years. As a result, I experienced various people, lifestyles, and cultures, which shaped my appreciation for art, music, and the diversity of the human experience. I was an eccentric, creative child. I was rebellious and spunky. I spent my days dressing up as different characters or playing in the woods. I had a very healthy inner life. I was always daydreaming and spent a lot of time reflecting on what I saw and heard in the world around me.
I was a little girl full of ideas about life and how I wanted to live it. I was a dreamer. I went to The Art Institute for Photography, became a professional photographer, and quickly realized my introverted personality was not a great match. I was always exhausted because I wasn’t creating the right art for me.
So, I decided I wanted to go back to school to change my life, but then, something unique happened, I started painting abstracts in 2015 to help with my anxiety while getting my undergraduate degree. I graduated in May 2020, just in time for a global pandemic. With no job prospects in sight and nothing but time on my hands, I decided there was no time like the present to start my dream of working as an artist. I had no idea where it would take me, just that I hoped to make art to help me feel empowered and calm my anxiety. Fast-forward to the present- I am officially a working artist creating pieces for galleries and collectors, writing about my art practice, teaching courses, and hoping to empower other artists and creatives. I specialize in contemporary mixed media paintings and collages. My artistic focus is on the process. I believe what makes us feel abundant in our creativity is being able to show up as our imperfect selves fully. I teach with a process emphasis to help you develop an artistic voice that feels truly authentic.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! To empower women (and women-identifying) artists! I often find women as the most reserved students who second guess or qualify their creative abilities when I teach. I want to help women trust that they can create art that is beautiful and meaningful, just by virtue of existing. We all have a story that influences our art and artistic process, I help women realize their art is a reflection of their own beauty and should be shared.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I think the most impactful part of my process has been unlearning the need for approval. Look, it’s very hard to not fall into the traps of social media likes, follows, etc. But, at the end of the day, it doesn’t mean anything. I decided years ago, whatever I show on social media will be wholehearted, vulnerable, and above all authentic. I will admit, sometimes I overshare my process and mistakes, but that’s who I am and I can’t be afraid of disagreements or negative comments. I’ve learned my value is in believing in myself and my work more than anyone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: sarahmaysstudio.com
- Instagram: @sarahmaysstudio
Image Credits
All images © sarahmaysstudio