Sarah McKendry draws inspiration from nature and creates awe-inspiring landscapes and wildlife paintings.
Sarah's exploration of oils allows her to achieve depth, texture, and realism in her artwork.
Sarah's collections are a reflection of her passion for the natural world, showcasing diverse landscapes and wildlife captured over time.
Sarah encourages artists to embrace the playfulness of the creative process, let go of expectations, and foster a connection with their audience.
Deep dives
Inspired by the natural world
Sarah McKendry, an accomplished artist, draws inspiration from the natural world. Her passion for capturing landscapes and wildlife on canvas stems from her childhood experiences and memories. She has a particular connection to the coastal regions of British Columbia and the mountainous areas of Alberta. Sarah's work reflects the awe and beauty she finds in these environments, transporting viewers to places filled with mist-covered mountains, tranquil forests, and powerful wildlife.
Transitioning to oil and color
Sarah initially started her artistic journey with black and white acrylic paintings. However, she soon discovered a love for working with oils and delving into the world of color. Sarah's exploration of oils allowed her to create more depth, texture, and realism in her artwork. She began experimenting with different sizes of canvases, often opting for larger sizes to evoke a sense of expanse and presence in her landscapes and wildlife pieces. With her self-taught approach, Sarah continues to challenge herself and fine-tune her techniques as she embraces the transformative power of color in her art.
Building a collection
Sarah approaches creating a collection with spontaneity and artistic intuition. She does not restrict herself to a specific subject matter or theme but instead allows her inspiration to guide her. Sarah's collections are a body of work that she assembles over a certain period of time, showcasing the diverse range of landscapes and wildlife she has captured. Each collection is a reflection of her passion for the natural world and her ability to transport viewers through her brushstrokes into breathtaking scenes of misty forests, dramatic coastlines, and majestic animals.
Starting a painting
Sarah's approach to starting a painting can vary depending on the subject. For wildlife pieces like the polar bear in 'Arctic Hunter,' she may begin with a sketch of the animal, paying careful attention to capturing its form and features. With landscapes such as 'After the Rain,' Sarah often starts with a loose brushwork to depict the essence of the scene before refining it with more detailed layers. Regardless of the subject, Sarah's process involves multiple thin layers of paint, taking care to build up the depth and texture that brings her scenes to life.
The importance of showing up for yourself
Sarah emphasizes the importance of setting aside time every day, even if it's just a few minutes, to engage in creative pursuits. By giving yourself permission to show up and be creative, even in small doses, you can build momentum, find joy in the process, and continue to grow as an artist.
Embracing the playfulness of art
Sarah encourages artists to let go of expectations and embrace the playfulness of the creative process. She suggests setting aside a specific amount of time, using limited materials or colors, and allowing yourself to freely explore and experiment without worrying about the final result. This practice can be liberating and lead to unexpected creative breakthroughs.
The power of connection and community
Sarah emphasizes the importance of building a connection with your audience and fostering a community around your art. She highlights the value of newsletters as a personal and direct way to communicate with supporters and shares her own experience of building deep connections with her subscribers.
Overcoming self-doubt and pursuing your passion
Sarah shares her journey as a self-taught artist and the challenges she faced in believing in herself and her artistic abilities. She encourages artists to recognize their own value and power, regardless of traditional standards or formal education. She emphasizes that anyone can pursue and excel in their creative passion as long as they are committed and willing to put in the work.
Mike has had an exciting year developing outside his comfort zone and is nearing the completion of several works. Sarah Mckendry then joins the podcast to discuss her exciting and inspiring art journey. Sarah is a self-taught, internationally recognized oil painter, art educator, and published author who has dedicated 14 years to her craft. Despite not having conventional art credentials, she has carved her successful path in the art world, inspiring artists and art enthusiasts globally. Her work is featured in international publications and is part of private collections worldwide. Beyond creating art, Sarah imparts her skills to thousands of students, nurturing future artists. As a stay-at-home mom to two boys in Edmonton, Alberta, she balances family and career, working from her home studio.
