We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Goller-Garlow. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Sarah, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism is fueled by both internal and external factors.
Externally, the support and encouragement I receive from my friends, family, and art community play a huge role.
When people find enjoyment in, or inspiration from the art I make it feeds my positivity.
The passion I have for creating and the joy I’m rewarded with by doing so, plays an internal role.
This is also the foundation of where my optimism for being an artist comes from.
Optimism is not a permanent state of mind. It comes and goes, and requires practice.
We are what we do repeatedly. So when I have a regular art practice, repeatedly doing something that feels peaceful, balanced and good, I find optimism is hard to avoid.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born and raised in rural Michigan. At a young age I was introduced to art by my mother, who was working on her degree in Fine Art. On occasion, I would accompany her to illustration class. This left a positive impression on me. I developed an admiration for art at a young age, but did not find my own passion for creating until I was 30 years old.
By trade, I work in Location Management for Film & TV.
My career has taken me on many journeys that have inspired my creative process.
Self-taught, I enjoy many forms of artistic expression including fine art, writing, and photography.
When creating works such as pet portraits and classic car renderings, I find great satisfaction focusing on beauty found in shape, color, and reflection. My classic car series is a practice of patience, persistence, and perseverance.
80-160 hours of work goes into each piece.
I believe artistic expression is a process that continually changes, develops, and grows.
My curiosity doesn’t allow me to limit my creative exploration, so I will never stop learning new things.
Recently launching a “post-cast” on my social media accounts called “P.S. Creatives”, I’m able to combine my love for writing and art. In each episode I feature a creative person that inspires me. It’s my way of giving back to the community by promoting and supporting others.
Working to expand my art business, I’ve also launched a hand made greeting card line,
available on my website and social media accounts.
Primarily working in oil, acrylic and inks, I am currently accepting commissions.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity is the quality that most serves me. It inspires me to look a little closer, listen a little more carefully, and linger a little bit longer.
Magic can be found in the most unlikely places, but it is also right under your nose.
Inspiration is everywhere, and if you allow yourself to be curious enough, you will find it.
Patience is the skill that has provided me the most growth.
Be patient with yourself. Art is a practice. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Take as much time on a piece as you need. Allow yourself to work through your process without giving up on your work. Artwork has awkward stages. Patiently find your way through to the other side. It almost always ends up better than expected.
Never lose your drive. Stay engaged by always learning more, trying new things, and developing your process.
Passion is your fuel. Keep the tank full, for your drive will go nowhere without it.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
As previously mentioned, my mother is an artist. In college, she created a beautiful rendering of an old pickup truck that hung on our wall at home.
I was enamored with it as a child. When I was older, my step-sister wanted that rendering.
My mom was generous enough to ask me if I minded, knowing it was my favorite.
My step-sister was a collector of old truck stuff, so I thought it was the right thing to do and agreed.
When I was 30, my mother visited me in CA. She really wanted to teach me how to render, so I could recreate that old truck for myself. During that process, I fell in love with rendering. It reignited the love and curiosity I had for art in my youth. From that moment on I’ve been passionate about art. I don’t think my mother realized the impact that was going to have on my life, but it changed it forever. I’m so grateful to her.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahgoller.com
- Instagram: @goller.sarah
- Facebook: Sarah Goller-Garlow
Image Credits
Sarah Goller-Garlow
