Interview
Sara Rezk
Sara Rezk is an Egyptian full-time professional artist, born and raised in Cairo. She was known for her talent from a very young age.
Pursuing her passion for art, Sara opted for a career change after many years in corporate life. She started in 2012 by taking oil painting classes. She continued to build her skills, joining workshops in oil painting and drawing at an art academy.
From 2012 to 2018, Sara exhibited her artwork, solely and collectively, in a few exhibitions both locally and internationally. In 2020, she joined the online mastery program at the Milan Art Institute in USA to add an extensive value to her artwork and artistic career.
Sara’s current studio is located in New Cairo. It is her comfortable space; a cozy, warm room in her house. In the future, Sara is looking forward to have her own gallery and large studio space. She is passionate about traveling, so she will continue to explore the world and travel often, striving inspiration.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“It all started back when I was at school - I was the kid who loved art classes. My art teacher always encouraged me to draw. My passion for art grew with me as a hobby. At university, I participated in a small exhibition as an activity at college, even though I studied economics.
After graduation, I focused more on my career for a few years and kept art as a hobby. In 2012, I joined an Atelier that teaches oil painting, This class opened my eyes to the idea of being an artist. During that year, I participated in 2 exhibitions, one group and the other solo. I made my first sale in my solo exhibition, and that convinced me to become a professional artist, making a living from art sales. In pursuit of improving my skills, I took few art classes and workshops in different places alongside my daytime job. Through that, I was able to exhibit my artwork in several galleries. In 2018, I also reached out to a few artists and had the opportunity to participate in an international exhibition in Rome, Italy.
Since then it has been on and off in my art sales. I am always seeking an opportunity to have a consistent career, and to continue to discover my own voice. I joined an Artist Mastery Program in the USA, and that started my journey of becoming a professional artist.”
“My paintings are journeys that take you on an adventure of self-discovery. They encourage individualism and self-actualization, and inspire my collectors to be free, follow their heart and step into their destiny.
I believe in self-growth and uniqueness. You should strive to fulfill your dreams and be your own kind of beauty no matter what anyone says. Just be you.”
What inspires you most?
“My aspiration to be unique and to appreciate my own identity helps to keep me inspired. My inspiration also comes from my passion for exploring, traveling the world and seeing new places. A few simple things in life, such as listening to birds singing in the morning, give me hope and pleasure. Seeing green landscapes everywhere and going outside the norm every now and then also excites me.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I desire uniqueness and carving my own trail, and that’s what inspires me to create. I also seek growth and encourage individualism, which I hope will inspire others to be free, step into their own destiny and express their individuality. Art and painting is a journey of self-discovery, and being yourself in your own way.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is abstract realism, intuitive, and depicts beauty. I mix realist subjects with abstract intuitive backgrounds. I use a fast-paced technique and intuitive marks that flow freely on the canvas. My work features bright colors to render the joy of the journey.”
What artists influence you most?
“I love the works of Cesar Santos, Alpay Efe, Alicia Aradilla, Rosso Emerald Crimson, Sara Schroeder, Dafni Milan, Rembrandt and Moataz Kamal.”
What is your creative process like?
"My creative process starts with collecting images, and creating sources is an interesting part of my process. I like to start with a word or an idea, then get some quotes and imagery that reflect that idea. My painting process is fast-paced. At the beginning stages, I like to throw some paint and let it drip on canvas. As I start adding the final details, I move slower.
I plan my paintings ahead because I like to have a guide when I paint. Sometimes I sketch first, and other times I add the background and sketch over it. Although I have a plan guiding me, I like to get intuitive during the painting, leaving some marks and drips and scribbles.
I mainly use acrylics, some markers, crayons, and definitely oil paint to finish up. It gives the painting richness and depth.”
“My art has free-spirited subject matters, whether it’s a figure, animals or abstract forms. They are painted in bold and rich colors that ignite the energy of the viewer to attempt to break their limitation and feel free.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art is a way of self-expression. I am a shy and quiet person, and I’m not able to express myself in a comfortable way. The canvas has been a way for me to express my identity and my feelings. It gives me a voice, and I am free.
As an artist, I believe art connects people. It’s a common language that anyone understands, and it speaks directly to your heart. So I hope people will feel connected to my artwork, and that it will fire their energy to go on their journey, step into their destiny and be free. That would make a society more aware of its needs, and be always looking for ways to improve.”
