Sarah’s style, which exemplifies “ultimate freedom, simplicity and imagination”, is so distinctive from that of other artists that her art is easily identifiable as pure “Sarah Faulkner” and has become sought after by many collectors. One reason for this is the unusual techniques she uses to create her paintings.
“Most recently, she has been working with paraffin wax as a finish coat to her paintings. This translucent and misty material blends and softens the undercoat colors to give the work depth and light. In addition to wax, Sarah also uses a hardening compound to build up the surface of the paintings. This gives the work a three dimensional quality. Once these materials adhere, multiple layers of paint are applied. First dark colors, then lighter and lighter colors emerge. Over ten layers of paint are applied to reach the final stage. This application of color is deliberate in its attempt to pull the light from the darkness”.
Sarah intentionally does this very time consuming process to bring the emotions of joy and hope into every one of her creations. Her art then provides the onlooker with “a sense of peace, grounding and calm” which Faulkner believes is “essential to the quality of one’s life”.
Faulkner’s artistic background is diversified. Originally raised on a farm in Virginia, she eventually moved to Massachusetts where according to Sarah “she
began to develop her talent as an artist. She attended Northeastern University and studied art history, architecture and visual arts. Sarah’s first artistic love was woodworking. So much so, that her kitchen table was also her table saw”!
In 1991, Faulkner’s restless spirit drew her to San Francisco where she “became involved in the Bay Area arts community and took a position as Director of an East Bay Gallery. In addition to her gallery work, Sarah worked with several theater companies as principal set designer. These productions gave her the opportunity to utilize her skills in sculpture, woodworking and painting”. Her great sense of
curiosity later resulted in her relocation to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she was inspired by the many talented sculptors and painters she represented as a Gallery Director.
Sarah and her husband now live in Burnsville where she feels “blessed to have the opportunity to do what she loves on a full time basis. Create. The beauty and peace she has found in the North Carolina Mountains is reflected in Sarah’s paintings” and it’s the perfect location to affirm her belief that “staying connected to our natural environment will help us all to stay connected to our human environment”.
Sarah Faulkner’s art is currently represented at a number of galleries on the east coast, as well as Woolworth Walk in Asheville and Miya Gallery in Weaverville and also will soon be available as a greeting card line through Hallmark cards.
If you’d like to preview Sarah’s pending exhibit at Toe River Arts Council, go to her web www.sarahfaulkner.com Faulkners exhibit will continue thru May 17th at TRAC located at 102 West Main Street in downtown Burnsville. Open Mondays thru Saturdays 10 to 5 p.m. 828-682-7215.
by
Angelique
