Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Stoddard.
Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I grew up in Sammamish, Washington, and Salt Lake City, Utah, and currently live in Idaho with my husband and cats. I love music, books, animated movies, and documentaries about animals. I was always drawing pictures, playing pretend, reading, and writing stories as a kid.
But I never really thought of myself as artistic until the end of high school. I remember the summer before my senior year water coloring in art class one afternoon, I thought, “I wouldn’t mind doing this every day of my life.” I tentatively asked my wonderful teacher, Sydney Bowman, if she thought I could put a portfolio together in time for college applications. “You’d have to work your butt off, but you could do it.” I ended up getting accepted to the illustration and studio arts programs at Brigham Young University. But in November of 2016, I dropped out of college to check into residential treatment for an eating disorder.
During my time in rehabilitation, I always looked forward to Thursdays, when we had art time in the afternoon. I’d been given a blank art journal and there was a collection of very cut-up books and magazines in the art room. I started collaging and I never really stopped. Art has been and continues to be a huge part of my recovery. I returned to school and in 2021, I graduated with my BFA in Studio Arts from BYU. I’ve since had the privilege of participating in two art residencies and exhibiting my work in a variety of spaces in the western U.S.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It took me a long time to realize that what I do, the things I love, the way I think, who I am—is all valid. I didn’t need to keep turning in half-hearted paintings I thought would please my professors. I didn’t need to pretend not to like movie soundtracks cartoons or children’s literature. I didn’t need to act un-me to be acceptable or accepted.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My current work revolves around my lifelong love of fairytales and fantasy and attempts to capture the expectancy and wonder of stepping into a story.
Carefully curated, meticulously cut pictures rearranged into new tales. Meditating on myth, memory, flora, and fauna, my work echoes what Arizona-based artist Claire Taylor describes as “transcendence by observation” to bridge the imaginary world and the concrete. Inspiration and imagery for my collages vary from favorite books and natural science to family history and television subtitles.
People are always surprised to learn that I only use scissors to cut images—I’m very clumsy with an X-acto knife. Scissors are what I’ve always had on hand, so that’s what I’ve practiced with and become used to. Scotch Titanium 8” scissors. You can get them in a 3-pack from Costco. Add a purple Elmer’s glue stick and you’re ready to collage!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Art can help you find peace and empathy for yourself. You may not think you’re an artist, but you can create. Collage is a great starting point. Grab a friend, a glue stick, some magazines, and a pair of scissors, throw on your favorite TV show, and get cutting and pasting!
If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, help is available. The National Eating Disorders Association has excellent resources for individuals with eating disorders and friends and family.
You can get screened for an eating disorder using NEDA’s screening tool, contact the NEDA helpline, and find other resources for help and support at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support. Similarly, if you’re fighting major anxiety, depression, panic, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health concerns, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Anytime, 27/4. You are not alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: sarah-stoddard.com
- Instagram: @sarah_does_an_art
