🌞 faces in the crowd: sarah lee
she was once banned from taking art classes, now you can see her work at the first ever folkartwork exhibit, "faces in the crowd" opening november 9th in des moines
The art teacher I had at high school was not a fan of my artwork at all. So much so I was banned from taking it as a subject as she said I just simply did not have the ability to take it any further. — Sarah Lee
Happy Friday! As you may or may not know, I don’t normally sent out newsletters on Fridays. Every Sunday, the “This Week In Outsider Art” newsletter recaps the week that was, and every Wednesday, paid subscribers will get “B-B-Bonus This Week In Outsider Art”. So what’s with Fridays?
I’m extremely excited that for the first time ever, FolkArtwork will be live and in person, with the “Faces In The Crowd” exhibit opening on November 9th in downtown Des Moines, steps away from the world renown sculpture garden located in the historic Fitch Building.
I’m also really proud to be working with the artists I get to work alongside. And I’m honored to showcase artwork by these extremely talented self-taught artists, including none other than Sarah Lee.
I was thrilled to catch up with the self-taught Irish artist and learn why she never stopped making art, despite being told numerous times along the way she was “no good”. Stay tuned for more interviews in the lead up to the show!
Introducing, the once banned from art classes artist Sarah Lee:
FolkArtwork: As a high school art teacher, I’m fascinated with students’ art experiences. Especially how confidence affects art making as a teenager in both a positive and negative way. What was your experience as a high school art student like?
Sarah Lee: For me it was a bit of both. For example, the art teacher I had at high school was not a fan of my artwork at all. So much so I was banned from taking it as a subject as she said I just simply did not have the ability to take it any further.
At the time, I don’t remember exactly how I felt about it. But if I met her now I would shake her hand and say “thank you”. It didn’t stop me from drawing every day, mostly all over my study books. I would draw on other peoples too, for which I was usually in trouble or put in detention.
I was a very quiet child and spent hours making up characters and strange scenarios. At one point, I remember some of the girls requesting I decorate their books and bags with my funny little drawings. I was happy about that.
FA: You mentioned once that an art teacher told you that you were no good at art. How long after that did it take you to pick back up a paint brush and paint your wonderful works? And what was it that compelled you to do so?
SL: After I finished school without any art qualification, I went to a college in North London to try and get on an art and design course. I remember turning up with a picture of a UFO I had made with colour pencils. For some reason, I had it laminated! The teacher said to me something along the lines of “interesting technique, you have lots to learn but you can come to class”. I started and then dropped out, but I don’t regret it, it just wasn’t for me.
After that I had many years when I just didn’t do anything to do with drawing. In fact I really wanted to be a singer. I became a mum at 24 and when my daughter was at nursery I started to take classes in musical theatre. Unfortunately, I had excruciating stage fright so I didn’t pursue it further.
In terms of drawing I would hand paint birthday invitations for my daughters birthday parties when she was in primary school. The other kids were crazy about them.
Not until the first lock down, I opened an Instagram account. It took me a few months to understand it and actually post anything. I randomly posted a drawing I had done on a piece of paper and lots of people liked it. So I posted more and more of my works. It was then I started to paint my illustrations while I was working as a mental health nurse in the community. This was all during the pandemic. So other than working and spending time with my daughter, I would just spend the rest of my time painting my thoughts and ideas.
I never had an intention with regards to style or genre, the paintings were just as they were. Soon, I learned that I seemed to fit into this style of naive art and outsider art. Sometimes I would try and paint with a better technique, but this is just how I paint. What you see in my paintings is how I want to paint. I never intended for my people to look like half human and half puppets from another dimension, but they do and I like it that way.
I still work as a mental health nurse and outside of that time I paint, paint and paint some more.
FA: Do you remember what those first works were like and how have you seen your art evolve in time since you first started making art again?
SL: I think it has evolved now that I use paint, and it has naturally taken on a style that I think is quite unique to me. I am proud of the paintings I have produced over these past few years. I actually used to draw with just a pen or pencil and never painted. That has been new in the past four years.
I was thinking about this the other day and I realized the monster toddlers are characters I have been drawing since I was about 10 years old. When I was a young kid I was obsessed with horror films, the weirder the better. I guess because I had older sisters, I watched some questionable films from a very young age. I remember watching “Rosemarys Baby” and “Suspiria” when I was around 9 years old. And I was addicted to “Twin Peaks” when it first came out, when I was around 10 years old.
There is a lot of nostalgia in my work reflecting my childhood.
FA: Are there any artists that inspire you or you look to in your art-making?
SL: Not any one artist in particular, but I have always loved illustration books. I have always enjoyed getting lost in the images of the books I own. Since discovering so many artists over the years, I can see how some people make comparisons with my work and that of other artists.
I have discovered so many great artists since starting my Instagram account. Too many to mention but what I would say is that it has been really encouraging to find artists that are a little like me in that they just paint what they want to, not following a particular trend. I like those artists who, like myself, just don’t give a damn and do it how they want to.
FA: As someone who works full time and makes art whenever you can, how and when do you find the time to make artwork? Do you have ideas and jot them down in sketchbooks? Or do you set aside some time for yourself and just get to it then and there?
SL: It helps that I love painting, and it helps that I also like my own company. I have had to make sacrifices in terms of me going out with friends or staying home to paint. So now nobody asks me to go out!
I still doodle, but I don’t have a sketchbook as such. Some of my doodles will turn into paintings. As for ideas, they exist in my head inside a little cabinet. It is usually just a matter of time before I paint what is in there and it always seems to be replenished.
FA: When making art, do you listen to music, podcasts or watch movies? Is there any other art form that helps you push through “creative blocks”? Or anything that helps you in the mood to make art?
SL: I always listen to music. Sometimes the line of a song will inspire a painting. I also listen to the radio a lot. One of my favorite shows is Iggy’s (Iggy Pop) Confidential on BBC6. He plays everything from old and new across pretty much every genre. I will never get tired of his show. Thank you Iggy.
Music has always been a big part of my life, painting and music go hand in hand for me.
FA: Do you have a specific place you make work in your home? Do you have a studio? And is your art “studio” clean or messy?
SL: I move around. I have a little studio in the house, sometimes tidy and sometimes messy depending where my head is at. But my favourite place is the kitchen table in the early morning. When the sun shines right through, it creates the perfect lighting.
FA: Do you have any pieces of art you’ve collected that you cherish? If so who is it from and what is it about that art that you enjoy?
SL: I am not so much in the business of buying art. But I have been gifted artwork and I will always cherish those pieces. I have done a few art swaps, which I am always open to if anyone is interested!
FA: I have a work of yours, the “Three Monster Toddlers”. My children will often stand in front of it looking up and point out which one they are. I believe I’ve told you that your “Children in Monster Masks” series is some of my favorite work that you do. What do you think it is about these works that resonates with people? And why do you love making those surrealist works of art?
SL: As mentioned, I was really into monsters and ghouls as a kid. We were pretty big on dressing up for parties in our household and especially for Halloween. My earliest memories were us kids in our regular clothes with these plastic Ben Cooper Halloween masks, that mixed with awful food and even worse decor – priceless!
I think if you grew up in the 70’s or 80’s you would have hopefully experienced this. I think the people who are crazy about those monster babies find it relatable.
FA: You have had works exhibited internationally and in folk festivals in the United Kingdom. Do you have any advice or anyone who feels like they are “no good” at art? Or someone who loves art so deeply that they want to be an artist for a living?
SL: I am still looking for advice myself. But I guess I would say, as cliche as it sounds, stay true to what you love to paint and express it the best you can. If I painted for anyone else or even to make money I think I would have stopped by now. I will also say reach out to online art galleries, this is what I have done over the years. Its been numerous online art galleries like @folkartwork that have really helped with getting my artwork out there.
FA: Is there anything else we should know about you or you want to share?
SL: Yes, I have to say to you Adam, that I am so grateful for the exposure @folkartwork. I have made so many contacts and been invited to exhibit with many galleries. They have seen my work on your platform. I am so excited for the future, for the show in Iowa in November and now to learn that I have work at the Outsider Art Fair in New York this coming February 2025. It is a dream for me.
You can follow Sarah Lee on Instagram at @sarahleeillustration or learn more about her on her website.
Sarah Lee’s work can be purchased in the FolkArtwork Collective shop and you can see her work on November 9th at the “Faces In The Crowd” exhibit at the Fitch Building in Des Moines, Iowa.
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