Statement
I was trained in the Old Master tradition of painting, and, as a result, painting has become an energizing joy to me. I spend a great deal of time on each painting - much of it in the struggle to extract
the concept from my inner self! I work mostly in oils and pastels, both media having qualities which are particularly effective in showing strength and character in portraits.
My style reaches for a combination of fascinating detail and depth. I strive to obtain the balance between a true likeness and the soul of a subject - the combination of these factors is essential to showing a person in their best light. The eyes in particular create the sould, and the painting is the setting. Much of my non-commissioned work is of portraits which convey varied and conflicting emotions to the viewer. Costumes and fabric hold a particular fascination for me, particularly the Edwardian and Victorian periods. A large segment of my work is taken up with portrait commissions, which are shipped world-wide. Varied emotions are conveyed by my paintings, with conflict and debate being the primary goal - the "why" or "what" surrounding a particular expression of a subject.
I am compelled to interpret the life in a subject, and to capture the essence of a person in addition ot their likeness. The conflicts, joy, secrets and history all combine to create a captured moment in a portrait. The painting journey usually consists of an emotional dialogue between the emerging painting and myself. This dialogue is designed to result in an awakening of those emotions in the viewer.
Each step evolves during a soul-searching roller-coaster ride that seems insane to the onlooker!! That is the challenge, and is why painting portraits is my passion. I have an eternally questionaing nature, and the truth is that I cannot NOT paint.
Biography
Sarah A. Boardman, a native of England, spent many years traveling throughout, and residing in Australia, Territories of Papua and New Guinea, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Middle East, most countries of Europe, and the United States, while conducting a successful career in travel and business, while also pursuing her passion for art. In 1985 Sarah began her formal studies in Germany as an apprentice to a renowned “Alt Meister” learning and practicing the techniques of the Old Master Painters. Sarah spent over 4 years studying and practicing these methods. Sarah won the distinction of being the top student in the atelier for 1987 and 1988. Sarah still finds continuing inspiration in the study of the Old Master works.
Throughout her art studies Sarah has been drawn to painting portraits – she is especially intrigued by the depth and conflict that is often found in the eyes of her subjects, reflecting that there is no challenge more fascinating than to capture the “character and essence” of an individual on a two-dimensional canvas or paper. Sarah paints in the style of Classical Realism.
Sarah comes from a long line of artists, and follows in the footsteps of her Great-Grandfather and her Great-Uncles who took part in founding the Newlyn Group of south-west England. Sarah has exhibited and throughout her travels, where she has shown and sold commissioned and non-commissioned work. This work is now in private collections. Subjects have come from a variety of backgrounds, including several distinguished members of the U.S. Military. She admits that some of her favorite subjects are “wonderfully ordinary people” whose faces show the tracks of real life.
Sarah now works from her studio in Colorado Springs.
Resume
Private Commissions/Collections/Sales/Art Shows/Fairs:
Multiple commissions/sales into collections/sales from art shows and fairs: destinations New Zealand, Australia, Territory of Papua and New Guinea, Iran and the Middle East, England (numerous pieces), Wales, Scotland, Spain, Germany (numerous pieces), France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, and numerous pieces throughout the United States – Alabama, Arizona, Colorado (Colorado Springs, Aspen, Denver), Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state. Commissioned by the State of Colorado to paint President Barack H. Obama for the Denver State Capitol Building Rotunda, Gallery of Presidents. This portrait joined the other 43 presidential portraits hanging in the Rotunda Gallery in May 2011. Please call for further details.
