Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Fox Horsfield.
Sarah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a Tulsa, Oklahoma native but moved to Denver in 2001. I got my BFA in painting from the University of Kansas. I have always painted and my work is sold nationally and I have found a lot of success with it, but there is a reason the term starving artist exists… it is very difficult to make a living as an artist. So I have had to had to get creative with my career and have meandered along different paths. It has been a struggle at times but I am so excited to where it has ultimately led me. After college, I worked with my dad at his architecture firm designing remodels and managing construction projects. I then worked in advertising/marketing for 15 years – working my way up to CEO of an agency in Denver. But wasn’t totally happy and I decided to leave advertising a few years ago and merge my passion for small business with my creativity.
I started an interior design business – Made from Scratch. www.madefromscratchdenver.com I have been very lucky and have gotten to work on a bunch of really fun projects like a mod, vibrant hair salon, a Scandinavian inspired wellness center, a variety of residential projects, and my latest is an advertising agency remodel/buildout. I have never loved a job so much. It lets me use both sides of my brain with the business side of running the business and the creative side of design.
On the side, I also started a pop-up art gallery in 2018 in the burbs of Lakewood. I found that the area I live in is kind of a black hole for creativity. And the community is full of people that value the arts and were craving more of it near home. I wanted to fix this problem. So I started The Art Project. I show work from a curated handful of artists in alternative venues around the area I live in – including once in a moving truck in the 40West Arts district. “Bringing good art to the burbs.” I am also spending a lot more time lately in my backyard studio painting new work. I am currently working on a new collection of pieces that I hope to show Spring 2021 (depending on COVID).
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would say the biggest struggle was getting caught up in the business world (and parenthood) and not finding the time to really focus on being creative. Or trying to fit being creative in between everything else. I would say that my painting suffered a bit as a result. It just took me leaving my non-creative professional life behind to get back to my creative roots. And I could not be more excited about my new art and my interior design projects.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I thrive on creative problem-solving. It drives just about everything I do in life. I think that is what has set me on my creative path. So when I start a new painting or design project, I am totally in my element. I think it is evident in my design projects that I bring an artist’s aesthetic with how I play with colors and materials. And I also like to creatively add a bit of fun into every project. I focus on a modern aesthetic with touches of eclectic.
My paintings are all about the process I use to create them. I apply paint in shapes and colors, so they play off each other, layering elements, and heavily editing until the pieces come together. There are no hidden messages in my work or deep meaning. I just want people to feel happiness when they look at them.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have had A LOT of luck. Luck that my mom encouraged me to make messes and think creatively and pursue my art degree. Luck that my art has been in the right place and right time to open doors for me and give me amazing opportunities. Luck that my dad is an architect and gave be the background I needed to start a design business. That sort of thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarah-fox.com www.madefromscratchdenver.com www.theartproject.co
- Phone: 303-931-6073
- Email: sarah@madefromscratchdenver.com
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