We were lucky to catch up with Sydney Yeager recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydney, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I never dreamed that I could actually make art a “profession”. I still have a hard time acknowledging that I am a professional , even after 25 years of showing with galleries in Texas. As a child, I loved art, and lived in my own little fantasy world of pictures. I was recognized in my high school years as an ” artist”, but when I went to college, I was encouraged to go a different route. And honestly, I think I was a little afraid to expose myself to the kind of scrutiny that being an art student demanded. In retrospect , I think I made the right decision to major in English and avoid the level of criticism that I heard some of my friends describe. My background studying English actually played a part in my artistic development. But I just wasn’t ready for art school. It took a long time for me to gain enough confidence to go back to university. When I finally enrolled in art school, I was hungry for rigorous critiques. to my great surprise, I completed a second Bachelor degree ( my first degree was in English) went on to complete an MFA in Art , with a major in painting.

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.

After I earned an MFA, I was chosen by Women & Their Work, a prestigious non-profit gallery, for a solo exhibition.. The show was scheduled exactly one year after my graduation.
That show provided a wonderful opportunity for me to explore new territory. I made a body of large paintings which were well received. I went on to gain representation by a good gallery in Austin. From that point, I felt the confidence to pursue the work I loved.
Thirty years later, I am still happily practicing, painting daily in my studio. I work on large linen canvases. I paint in oil on linen, and often leave the surface of the linen visible. I love the color and texture of the linen. I especially like the contrast between the rawness of the linen and the thick, lustrous quality of the oil paint. I use large brushes and the paintings are composed of large sweeping strokes. I love the color and quality and of thick oil paint on the beautiful linen surface.
For the last 11 years, I have been represented in Texas by Laura Rathe Fine Art. in fact, after years of being located in Houston and Dallas, Laura Rathe has just opened a new gallery in Austin I am very happy to be associated with this wonderful gallery, now in three Texas cities. I have two shows upcoming with Laura Rathe, one this April in Houston, and one in Austin in September. I also have a show scheduled with Ann Connelly Fine art in Baton Rouge, LA., coming up in late October. .
Additionally I have work with Jules Place in Boston and with Fresh Paint Art advisory in LA.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best support that visual artists have is community. It is so important for artists to support each other and the institutions available . Artists gain so much from associations with others facing the same challenges. Artist-run groups and non-profit organizations add so much to the artistic fabric of Austin. The Blanton and the Contemporary are important resources for artists that all of us should support. The third element of the support system are the private galleries. Austin is developing a vibrant gallery scene, and it is important for artists, collectors and art lovers to attend functions that support this fragile eco system.

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

I love being able to spend my days doing what I love. Although people imagine being an artist is being suddenly struck by inspiration, it really isn’t like that for most artists. We are in our studios every day, even if the studio is a closet or a kitchen table. There is always an impulse to “make”, to practice our craft constantly. It is, as the saying goes, a “labor of love” that I practice on a daily basis. .

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits

Dwayne Barnes Photography
Shana Berensweig