Meet Sarah Harless | Art Educator & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Harless and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, why did you pursue a creative career?
When I was in middle school I took my first art class and I really enjoyed it. Those early middle and high school art classes really fostered my love for art. This led me to want to pursue art in college. My experience with college art classes was mixed. I had a few good teachers and a few not so good. By the end of my college career I realized I had a desire to pursue art professionally. But I also knew that I still had a great need to learn more about art. This led me to seek out artist that I felt were at the top of their game. Anytime that I am fortunate enough to spend time around these people, I try and soak up as much knowledge as possible. These people have been gracious enough to share their knowledge with me. I feel like if you want to be good in any particular field, you should constantly be trying to learn and be teachable. I don’t see how any artists could claim to be self-taught. They’ve learned from someone. I am not a self-taught artist and I am very thankful for that. I have learned so much from these great people who were willing to share with me.

I teach art to 6th-12th graders and it has been such a blessing to me to teach others about art. I see these students begin to have confidence and purpose in what they do. I see them improve and grow. These students have pushed me to be a better artist. I have found real purpose in teaching art as well as creating it. Teaching art has giving me the opportunity to create art while I teach. The students see the process of what I do and take me more seriously because I practice what I teach. As I am pushing them to be better they are unknowingly pushing me to be better. Teaching art forces me to understand the subject matter better. Not only do you have to understand it but, you have to understand it well enough to explain it to someone else.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I try to draw attention to the simpler ways of life and the natural beauty of the western atmosphere provides a serene backdrop. I like the more traditional ways of life and simplistic lifestyle when people lived off the land. We don’t get time back and it is vital to me to use my time wisely, I think my artwork captures some of the old ways that are still part of a tradition and lifestyle from the earlier generations. There is an importance of the older ways of life that we seem to forget about today. I try and pay tribute to the traditional beauty by photographing and painting the people, rain, livestock, and nature that are at the center of the natural gifts God gives us.

My use of light in my photography and painting helps highlight some of the environmental attributes of the western land such as the dry dust in the air, low morning fog, or a long-awaited, oncoming rainstorm. I try and allow colors to play a role to help express the variable mood of the scene. Colors are similar to life. Sometimes life looks bright, sometimes it pushes and pulls you in many directions, and sometimes there are just shades of gray.

My artwork has been shown in:

Museum of Western Art- Kerrville, Texas

Trappings of Texas- Museum of the Big Bend- Alpine, Texas

Bosque Art Classic- Clifton, Texas

AQHA Museum- Amarillo, Texas

APA show Fort Concho Museum- San Angelo, Texas

Settlers West Galleries -Tucson, Arizona

Breckenridge Fine Arts Center- Breckenridge, Texas

Cherokee Strip at Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center -Enid, OK

Oklahoma State Capital -Oklahoma City, OK

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would love to take them to the Sid Richardson Museum because they have a wonderful collection of Fredrick Remington and Charlie Russell original artworks. These are true American treasures. I would encourage anyone visiting Fort Worth to take the time to see them. Remington and Russell’s artwork gives us a glimpse into the past of the true American West. If I ever had the opportunity to view their entire private collection I think it would be life changing. I would also like to take them to the annual Cowboy Artist of America show. The CA’s are the Remington’s and Russell’s of our time. I also would like to take them to the Cattle Raisers Museum. The Cattle Raisers Museum does a great job of preserving and promoting the rich heritage of ranch life in the Southwest. Last but not least, I would take them to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards is a great place for people to experience living history of the American West. There are so many things to do and so much history it would be impossible to see it all in one day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and My husband, who has supported me and has pushed me. He is a cowboy and also a hunting guide. He’s my critic and I value his honest opinions. He understands what I paint very well. My mentors they know who they are and what they mean to me. My students who give me purpose and great inspiration. Most of all God who gave me this gift. He also gave me a hunger to learn and a willingness to be taught.

Website: www.sarahharless.com

Instagram: sarah_harless

Facebook: Sarah Harless Art and Photography

Image Credits
©Sarah Harless