Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Orre.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always painted as a hobby but after I had my kids I struggled with postpartum and used painting as a coping mechanism for anxiety. During covid I painted regularly and discovered pastels. As covid lifted a position opened up teaching painting classes. I began teaching Oil & Acrylic Painting and pastel painting. My kids asked me to start teaching youth classes so they could take my classes as well. I began teaching youth after school classes and applied to become the Youth Art Director at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center in Ben Lomond. In that position, I brought art after school programs back at local school sites. I also helped fundraise $10,000 a year in youth art scholarships.
This year, I opened my own business called Community Through Art teaching painting classes for youth and adults. I am selling my artwork and showing my work regularly in coffee shops, libraries, and local stores such as Homeless Garden Project, and Redwood & Ranunculus.
I work in oil paint as well as soft pastels. I am a landscape painter. I find that painting landscapes is very relaxing and calms my nervous system. I can escape into a painting and the world melts away. Many people comment on how my colors take them to another place and give a sense of calm and vibrancy.
I am a prolific painter because I set aside dedicated painting time each week. I paint no matter what on Fridays in my home art studio in Ben Lomond. I also have a painting group that meets on Mondays at my studio space Community Through Art. I enjoy painting with others and having a sense of community with other artists working in other mediums.
I hope my story inspires artists at every age level to start painting no matter what their experience level. You can learn the skills at any age to paint and it can bring joy to your life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My mental health has been a struggle. I had severe postpartum. and even postpartum psychosis, that led me to being diagnosed as postpartum bipolar. I now manage bipolar disorder, which is a mood disorder. I also have anxiety and depression that seems to be linked to my hormones. Mental health is not often talked about. Many women struggle with mental health after having kids. In my extreme case it changed my brain. Although perhaps my creativity is heightened during mania or hypomania it is something that I really struggle with. Luckily with medication, exercise, diet, calming activities, and outlets such as painting I can manage my symptoms and lead a beautiful, productive and rich life. I can’t overdo it, and I need to maintain balance with out overextending myself. Routine really helps to ground me. My family is extremely supportive. My husband is especially supportive and understanding. I have three girls and they are now 7, 10, and 13.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am primarily a landscape oil painter. I work with vibrant underpainting colors, loose broken brushstrokes, and gold leaf. I am an impressionistic painter and I paint with a lot of movement and joy. I am proud of my body of work and that I have only been painting as a professional painter for five years. I think my use of color sets me apart from other painters. I think people crave color without knowing it. The color stories in my paintings often speak to people and many comment on it when they see my work, which is very joyful.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel resilience is most important. Also having positive self talk. We are are biggest critics in life. I think it’s important to celebrate your wins and enjoy the journey along the way. I enjoy every stage of my process.
Pricing:
- Classes are six weeks for $198
- Youth Classes are six weeks for $275 including materials
- Prints start at $35
- Cards are $5 or five for $20
- Originals start at $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.communitythroughart.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.orre.artist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahorreartist/
- Other: https://www.sarahorre.com
