Interview
Sara Kissing
Born in Europe, and raised in two countries, Sara hails from a multicultural family of designers, architects, and real estate developers.
She received art and academic scholarships for the University of Texas, where she received her BFA. She won multiple design awards and art competitions and received her MFA from the Design Institute in Münster, Germany, with honors.
During the past 20 years, Sara’s professional work in different industries has constantly evolved around design and art. She worked as a Creative Director in the advertising and corporate world for 18 years.
Today, Sara is a professional artist, focusing on creating art and paintings for various clientele. She creates custom works of art for interior designers, event companies, galleries, and private clients. She has been painting murals and loves carrying out ‘Life Art Painting Performances’ where she paints in front of an audience at different venues.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My art journey started very early in my life. When I was 5 years ,I produced a 30-page art book about bunnies. Being creative was in my blood. In elementary school I was praised by my teachers for my art and design aesthetics, and that appetite never stopped, so naturally I studied art and design.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My current work is loud and vibrant but I don’t comment on political or social issues. Not yet, it might change because my work changes just like my life. Nothing is ever constant. My present body of work engages the viewer through all the different details and layers of paint and media application but also it pulls the viewer in because I use typography. Something he/she can relate to and read. I want to make my clients happy with my art and bring joy into their lives. This is one of the reasons I give back to my community and started doing “Art Angel” work. Murals and paintings that I do for free for those that are sick, in need, or underserved and who can’t afford to bring beautiful, colorful art into their surroundings. Art can heal and can create hope and happiness. Why would anybody buy a piece of art if it doesn’t make him/her happy?”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I usually run around with an idea for my next painting for a couple of days. Creating and painting it in my head and adding what I think is important before I start working. So, I do have a pretty clear image of what I want to paint when I start. Interestingly, the result never, really never looks anything like the painting I created in my head. My paintings seem to take over my mind, hands, brushes, and paints. In the end, all is improvisation and spontaneous interactions with the canvas and different materials.
The only thing that does not change is the topic for example if I intended to paint “Superman” or the “Golden Gate Bridge”. But that is pretty much what is left of the planning. And I incorporate words and sentences, sometimes meaningful statements, but most of the time nonsense and humor because I love to make people happy and laugh. Sometimes you will find a statement like “Don’t stop dancing” or “I hold a napkin” which has no other reason for being there than to engage the viewer and make him/her think and possibly smile.”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“Most of my art is a fusion of urban art, street art, and pop art. I admire Banksy's work and like the use of stencil and graffiti in addition to acrylic paint on my canvases. Bringing the streets onto the canvas and this way into the house is what I am doing right now.”
“My art style constantly changes, just like my life. My art is a journal of my life.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“Most of my work is mixed media with an emphasis on acrylic paints, pastels, charcoals, and markers. I collage pieces out of magazines, comics, and even books that I deconstruct and glue onto the canvas. Sometimes I use photoshop to manipulate certain images and then collage them as well. I use spray paint, stencils, and lots of molding paste for texture. I love adding 24k gold leaf because it seems to be out of place in a pop art style but that’s why I love it. Usually, I paint 4 to 5 paintings at the same time because I use so many different layers for depth and texture and these layers need to dry before I can continue the process.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Art equals happiness. It’s that easy. I have been working as a creative director in advertising agencies and corporate offices for many years and worked in the real estate industry and I always treated painting like it was a hobby of mine. On the side. In 2018 I went to a meditation retreat and took a lot of workshops and classes to learn to breathe again. It was at this retreat in the desert of Arizona that I decided to switch my current path and pursue a career as a full-time artist. It felt like coming back to my core. It made me happy and it made all the people happy that I was able to touch with my paintings. I do a lot of personal commission paintings working closely with my clients and it feels great. Also, I like painting on large scale and discovered that I love painting murals. The biggest one so far measuring 800 sqft. However, I like people and interacting and socializing with people. My Live Art Painting Performances are a fun part of my body of work.
I paint at various events for different clients from private to corporate and paint in front of an audience. It brings me joy especially when the guests interact and leave taking home a piece of my art.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My favorite artwork is anything painted by Jean-Michel Basquiat. He made it possible and seemingly easy to paint like a child but at the same time, he had major political statements hidden in his body of work. He had massive talent but his expressionistic pop art style made it look like it was nothing. I love his work because it is so utterly important to not take life too seriously and never forget to wonder and believe in miracles like children do all the time. When you wonder and act childlike you generate and exude positive happy energy and I think with everything that is going on in the world right now that is exactly what we all need.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I displayed my art in solo and group exhibitions in the USA and Germany, with the latest exhibit in 2022 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco – Banksy Art Exhibit – “Exit Through the Palace- Local Artist Exhibition.”
Website: www.Kissing.Art
Instagram: @Kisssing.art
