Traversing the Heart’s Odyssey
An Artistic Journey of Self-Discovery and Resilience
Art has always been my sanctuary, a place where I can express my deepest emotions and experiences. My latest series, "Traversing the Heart's Odyssey," is a testament to this journey. This collection marks a significant turning point in my life as an artist, a mother, and an individual seeking balance and contentment amidst life's chaos.
The Origin of the Collection
Fresh out of college in 2014, I found myself immersed in commission work. While it was gratifying to create pieces that resonated with others and I was always flattered when people asked me to create artwork for them, I realized that my own artistic desires were being overshadowed. Being recognized for my talent drove me to pursue art, but I needed to explore my personal vision. This led to a break from the studio when I became a mother in 2019.
During this hiatus, I began nesting and decided to paint my child's nursery art, creating a watercolor series of woodland animals adorned with delicate gold embellishments. Although I enjoyed the process, I quickly grew tired of it as my nursery was complete, yet others wanted more animals for their own. This again took time away from me, preventing me from doing what I truly wanted. But what did I want to do? I had the slightest clue. I wanted to find a style that was uniquely mine—something that people would recognize as "Sara Black's work."
The Path to Self-Discovery
After my firstborn arrived, I switched from oil paints to watercolor and acrylics due to the hazardous materials and having a baby in the house. I continued working on watercolor animal prints for my Etsy shop and began experimenting with acrylics and gold leaf. As my maternity leave ended, I started a new full-time job. Along with caring for a baby and managing household duties, this left little time for studio work. My studio, now in the basement, was less inviting. Soon after, I found out I was pregnant with my second child, and the arrival of my son, coupled with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, adjusting to my new job, and moving houses, kept me away from my studio.
In 2020, I learned about neurographic art from my mom, who needed help rounding her sharp corners into curved shapes for a webinar. After learning about it, I began to practice it myself. This meditative art form helped me reconnect with my creative spirit and find peace amidst the chaos. The practice of neurographic art allows for deep self-reflection and provides a gentle method to be present with oneself. It has been a source of inspiration and calm for me.
This prolonged absence from creating art for myself was stressful and made me realize how essential art was for my well-being. I craved a sense of balance and contentment, yearning for a routine where painting could easily fit into my life again.
Reigniting the Creative Flame
To reignite my creative flame after this hiatus, I immersed myself in various classes on Skillshare, exploring anything that piqued my interest. This period of experimentation led me to a profound realization: I was consistently drawn to lines and nature-inspired shapes like flowers and leaves. I began to play with these elements, incorporating my love for color theory, especially the contrast between light tints and dark shades. This exploration and rediscovery of my artistic voice were pivotal in my journey back to creating art that felt truly authentic and uniquely mine.
Creating "Traversing the Heart's Odyssey"
The "Traversing the Heart's Odyssey" series emerged from this period of introspection and growth. I was determined to bring order back into my life and to grow as a person, wife, and mother. To achieve this, I delved into books on positive mindset and neuroscience, which provided the foundation for my artistic exploration.
Gifted with large canvases for Christmas, I felt inspired to create something grand—something that would make me proclaim, "Wow, Sara, you're an artist!" This collection is my journey towards finding balance amidst chaos, a theme that resonates deeply with my experiences during this transformative period.
The Mini Series: Change, Chaos, and Content
Understanding the demands of motherhood, full-time teaching, and other personal interests, I chose to release "Traversing the Heart's Odyssey" in three mini series: Change, Chaos, and Content. Each series reflects a different aspect of my journey.
Change: This series captures the initial stages of my transformation, highlighting the beauty and challenges of embracing new beginnings.
Chaos: Inspired by the overwhelming changes and uncertainties, these pieces reflect the inner turmoil and the process of finding order within the disorder.
Content: Currently in progress, this series will symbolize my quest for balance and tranquility, showcasing my growth and resilience.
Explore Sara's Available Original Paintings
The Role of Neurographic Art
A pivotal part of my journey has been my exploration of neurographic art. This meditative art form helped me reconnect with my creative spirit and find peace amidst the chaos. The practice of neurographic art allows for deep self-reflection and provides a gentle method to be present with oneself. It has been a source of inspiration and calm for me, and I hope it can do the same for others.
An Invitation to Connect
"Traversing the Heart's Odyssey" is more than just a series of paintings; it is a story of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of balance. Through this collection, I aim to inspire collectors and art enthusiasts to connect with my journey and find their own paths to contentment.
I invite you to explore my work, follow my journey on Instagram, and join my email list. Let's connect, share our stories, and find inspiration together. Whether you are an artist, a dreamer, or someone seeking peace amidst life's storms, let neurographic art be your guide to presence and tranquility. Together, let's traverse our heart's odyssey.
Thank you for being a part of my artistic journey. Your support and connection mean the world to me. Please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @ArtistSaraBlack with any questions or simply to share your own story. Let's build a community where art and life intersect, creating beauty and meaning along the way.
