Life & Work with Sarah York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah York. 

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
An early love for visual art was born from a young age on the kitchen floor. I was endlessly creating through any and every medium involving crayons, acrylics, and collages. I eagerly spread all of my childish works on the floor waiting to show my parents each day. The desire to show the world my art soon expanded from the kitchen to entering my work in various markets, auctions, and school shows. My love continued to grow into my collegiate career and soon led to earning a degree in Interior Architecture from Samford University. While in college, I pursued multiple creative outlets including photography, graphic design, and social media marketing for businesses. However, my personal art creation was always a quiet escape for freedom of expression that I rarely advertised. After graduation, I immersed myself in the world of high-end residential design and architecture landing a job in Nashville. My method and style quickly became defined as “intentional chaos controlled with texture”. 

I publicly released my first collection defined by such terms in 2020. As I sold every piece remotely in a matter of minutes, I felt the creative obligation to keep going into the chaos, with the releases of a second and third collection, each uniquely themed. The plans for the future remain the same: embracing the chaos, controlling with texture. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business in the midst of a pandemic has its own set of unique challenges. Luckily, with social media, I was able to grow my business in the beginning from my own home. I learned more than I thought possible over the past year and a half. As an artist, the battle is oftentimes with yourself. Without that struggle, we wouldn’t be artists. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I classify as a contemporary abstract fine artist that specializes in concept collections, and/or the creation of works revolving around a central theme or narrative. I’m more thankful than proud of the audience I’ve been able to meet and create work for through commissions and my collections. I feel my ability to create and connect with people on a simple understanding of emotion and display or evoke that emotion on a canvas is truly what sets my work apart from others; it’s a catered experience. I never want to be confined artistically, and human emotion is so complex, I feel that may never be the case. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Surrounding yourself with people who sharpen you is extremely important, and that may look different for everyone. I’m very particular about my circle for that exact reason – I need to be surrounded by people who will creatively and innately challenge me. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Bysarahyork.com
• Instagram: Art: by_sarahyork Personal : sarahyork__

Image Credits
Seth Hays
Hannah Howard