Local Artist Q&A | Sarah Magill

1. What was your initial initiation into the world of art?
Art has always been a part of my life, but the first time I really felt like I could do something in the art world was when I was 15. Someone in in a local Fort Worth band (Skeleton Coast) asked me to design their shirts. That really inspired me to actually do something with my paintings. I also started interning for Ash Studios in high school and it launched me into wanting to help the local art scene and do more outside just painting in my room.

2. I first caught wind of you back in 2016, but recently you seem to have really thrown yourself into your art. What was the impetus for that change?
Ha, you’re not the first person to say that to me recently. Ahhh. It's a combination of things. I did a lot of new things the past year and a half. A lot of self-reflection, dealing with really strong emotions, what love is to me, and just becoming stronger spiritually. All of this shook me out of the comfortable and sprung me into not caring (in the best way) when it comes to painting. Basically, everything I have exuded physically all started internally.

3. What are some of your favorite mediums to work with and why?
I love all mediums! But if I have to choose for this present moment it has to be oil paint because I can blend colors and make texture so easily.

4. What is your mindset when beginning a new project? Is it usually based primarily on an idea or do you approach the canvas as blank slate?
All I really need to go off of is a feeling. That's kind of the magical part of my process because I really just let myself go somewhere new each painting. I always start blank and it creates itself. A lot of the time I look back and realize what I did was very subconscious.

5. Many of the pieces you’ve painted tend to focus around an image of the human body (most noticeably faces and outstretched arms), which then inconspicuously vanish into a blended background or landscape. What draws you to painting these figures in this way?
I’ve always been drawn to how limbs being outstretched can represent a yearning for something. Yearning for a dream, or person, or some kind of foundation. For some reason my mind goes to that when I’m trying to make sense of emotions. I’m still figuring it out.

6. You apply a mix of rich and faded tones in your color palates, are there certain colors you prefer to use or that are aesthetically pleasing to you?
Color is the most important thing to me so I definitely put most thought into that. Right now, I’m inspired by the tones and colors in bruises. I'm weird I know, but for bruises being what they are, I’m intrigued that the colors compliment each other so well.

7. From live painting at shows to designing album art for local musicians, you are very involved in the local music scene. What attracts you to collaborating with musicians?
I grew up seeing live music, and a lot of my family members are musicians or creatives, so I just find a lot to relate to with musicians. I always have. It's so beautiful to bring their sound to life in a visual way. It excites me on another level. Sound and visual art are meant for each other in my opinion.

8. Earlier this year you designed the album artwork for Ben Hixon’s new EP, describe your experience working on this project?
I absolutely loved working on Ben’s project. Right when I heard his EP, I knew the vibe I wanted to create. I think what he made and what I felt just clicked. I can’t wait to do more of that in the near future.

9. You are participating in Vision of the Future, a mixed media art show at Twilite Fort Worth on July 6th – tell me about the show and how you got involved?
Jordan Edwards and Brian Garcia came to me asking if I would be down, and I said of course! I love everything they do and working with them. It will be a night of immersion for your senses. I’m excited.

10. What are some upcoming projects/shows you have in the works and if time and money were a non-issue, is there a dream project that you’ve always wanted to do?
My personal project is finishing a series of paintings I’ve been working on in the next few months. I’m planning on laying low as of the moment to just grind out those paintings. Haha, I have SO many dream projects... but honestly just having my own show one day.

27 June | 2018