Meet Miha Sarani

We were lucky to catch up with Miha Sarani recently and have shared our conversation below.

Miha, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I am always profoundly grateful when people share with me the ways in which my work has affected them. It’s a strange feeling knowing that a piece of paper, or a canvas – which was just another blank surface previously – has been transformed by manipulation of lines, marks, or color into something impactful and meaningful to others. When I listen to musical compositions by my favorite composers, or read prose by my favorite authors, I’m in awe of their abilities to arrange notes, sounds, silence or words in ways that move me. At the end of the day it’s humbling to think someone feels that way about my own work, and that gives me incredible optimism and desire to continue my work.

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 am a visual artist, an art historian and an art educator. Personally, I prefer to use the term “maker” when describing my art practice. Word “art” derives from Latin “ars” meaning skill or craft. I find that term “artist” carries some preconceived notions and expectations, and I also feel it has somewhat lost specificity — particularly in the recent years.

I find the very process of making exhilarating — from the first flicker of an idea, to the planning process and execution. I absolutely love engaging in the practice. I feel it to be the vocation l was born to pursue. Educating others also gives me profound feeling of satisfaction; whether it be studio practices or art history.

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?
Identify what you are truly passionate about, own it and do not rush the process of your own development.

As a child I spent a lot of my time drawing. This made me very content and even helped me make sense of the world that surrounded me. I had zero interest in sports, or playing with the other kids in the neighborhood. Going as far back as I can remember I wanted to make a living as an artist – preferably an illustrator or a cartoonist. I took a placement exam at 14 to apply to an art academy in my hometown Ljubljana, but was rejected due to lack of talent. This early failure defined the next 20+ years of my life. I would sometimes doodle; but it never went beyond that. 
After moving permanently to the US in 2007, I decided to get a degree and started taking classes at a community college in Santa Clara, CA. A chance elective class – introduction to drawing – changed my life, and I subsequently graduated with a BFA in Drawing and Painting from the University of Washington – a year shy of my 40th birthday.
I have been very fortunate since then to be able to make art daily, and teach art making at the Seattle University.
 I truly believe that returning to my art practice happened exactly when it was meant to. Had it been sooner, I might not have respected the process as much.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Authenticity. This word seems to best demonstrate what drives my practice, particularly when feeling overwhelmed. It is not uncommon in the field of art making to feel overwhelmed, particularly once rejections start piling up. One might be tempted to look around and mistakenly follow in another artist’s steps – many very talented artists indulged in Cubism during the early 20th century, for example.

When I think of the works in my oeuvre that best stand the test of time, they all share the highest degree of authenticity to the original concept, intention and originality. I also believe if I follow this work, my work will never fall prey to trends. Authenticity steers my work true.

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