Art & Life with Sarah Jane Webber

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Jane Webber.

Sarah Jane, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I began my painting career after spending ten years working in some of the best traditional art galleries in the country (Trailside, Legacy and May Galleries). I observed successful artists and learned from them. I spent time painting outdoors and learning to see big shapes and eliminate detail. I always liked to draw animals as a kid, especially horses and dogs, so the subject matter I chose to pursue came naturally to me. I spent seven years living in and around the Central CA coast and the barnyard subject matter there was very inspiring. My first attempt at selling my art was doing miniature paintings of cows, ducks, sheep, and horses in the California landscape. These sold very quickly, and I started to move on to wildlife (bears, rabbits, wolves), However it was my cow portraits that ultimately put me on the map especially after the first time I entered the Mountain Oyster Club Western Art Show in Tucson, in 2006, where I was honored with the Purchase Award, and it was followed up by a small feature in Southwest Art Magazine. After that came another small feature in SW Art featuring “Artists who paint Bears” and in addition, I was featured as ‘An Artist to Collect” in 2007. From there I began to teach workshops which have been very fulfilling to me. Recently I have had some wonderful awards from both the American Women Artists Group, (Award of Excellence) of which I am a signature member, and just recently I won the Boren-Selvidge Award at the Bosque Western Art Classic in Clifton TX. I continue to explore animal painting to this day always searching for an expressive, painterly, colorful and yet somewhat abstract result. It can be quite a challenge but is always fulfilling!

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My artwork is heartfelt and done spontaneously. If I see something, I want to paint I use a good photo, but I am always looking for emotional content in the animal, especially the face, big shapes of dark and light, beautiful color and rhythm. I paint swiftly I try not to work on the canvas for more than an hour and a half. If I paint too long on something, or fuss with detail, I can ruin the painting, so, it has to be kind of a “one and done” deal. That way I can capture my initial response to the image and lay it down with energy that I want to stay with the painting. This helps the painting breathe and look cleaner. I like to paint portraits more than paintings but have been successful with both. I use oil paint as it is very forgiving to somebody who paints in the “alla prima” method that I do. You can always scrape it off and start over! I also like drawing with charcoal as I love the bold, clean dark line it makes.

So that’s kind of it. I want people to be immediately drawn into my work, to feel something special. Maybe love..that’s the goal!

What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Well, Social Media kind of fills that bill and Facebook has literally HUNDREDS of groups dedicated to every kind of art form. Joining those groups and getting involved that way can help. Also going to art openings is important. I belong to a women’s painting group in Tucson called the Wednesday Breakfast Club and we meet every Wed during the on season to social network, exchange ideas, let others know of shows they might not be aware of. This is an important aspect of my life and is the kind of things that can really help with the isolation factor. Also, go to a local art store and offer to teach a class or paint a demo. You would be surprised how much they would be open to this idea. Great way to make contacts and friends.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can find my work at Wilde Meyer Gallery on Marshall Way in Scottsdale, AZ and in the Wilde Meyer Annex on Main Street. I also show my work in their new, beautiful Tucson location on Skyline and Campbell and will be having an open studio there on November 3 and 4, 2018. I will be teaching a workshop in Cave Creek, AZ at the Ciolim gallery on November 8 and 9, 2018. Potential students can drop in and say hello if they would like. I will also be appearing in the Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson on Nov. 18, 2018. You can also find me at sarahjwebberfineart.com and on Instagram @sarahwebberart or on Facebook.com/sarahwebberartist.

Contact Info:

• Address: 6720 N. Andrea Doria Dr. Tucson, AZ (winter)
  3240 S. Double Tree Dr, Jackson WY (summer)
• Website: sarahjwebberfineart.com
• Phone: 8055502938
• Email: sarahpaints50@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sarahwebberart
• Facebook: facebook.com/sarahjwebberartist

Image Credit:
Karen Bright (image of myself at Jackson Hole Quick Draw holding cow painting)

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