Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Vanasse Miles.
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Sarah Vanasse Miles, Minnesota native and now an artist. I wasn’t always an artist. For a long time I thought I’d be an academic. In fact, my artistic career started when I was a grad student in Denver studying theology. During one of the first terms, we were given the assignment to cultivate a spiritual practice. I happened to be living across the street from a craft store so on my way home from class I stopped in and bought a beginner acrylic paint set and a 16” x 20” canvas.
Denver was a perfect incubating environment for a budding artist. It was easy for me to see new, progressive, and inspiring art. I found showing my art was just as easy. I brought my art to First Friday and RiNo district events, which are large community gatherings. One day after visiting the Denver Art Museum I had the feeling that I wanted to try oil painting. I watched a short DIY clip on Youtube on my walk to the craft store across the street. I bought some paints, turpentine, linseed oil, and a huge canvas, and fell deeply in love with an oil painting that night. My first oil painting was a self-portrait on a 3’ by 4’ canvas using techniques I had seen employed by abstract expressionists. It sold instantly and that’s really all the encouragement I needed to keep going.
After I graduated I committed to traveling for about a year. During that time I had only what could fit in my car or suitcase so I tended to work mostly in my sketchbook. I learned a lot from meeting so many different kinds and styles of artists but I realized my art needed a home. I wanted to build a permanent studio to start building my collection, and Minnesota has always been my home.
My studio space started small: just a corner in my bedroom. I had so many canvases going I didn’t even have room for a dresser. Just a bed, a stack of clothes, and my art supplies. Things have changed a lot since then. I am a full-time artist, I have a studio outside my house, and an ever-expanding portfolio. My first solo show is currently on view and I’m finding wonderful new homes for my art.a
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve never experienced a more rigorous or demanding challenge than being an artist. It certainly requires a “Don’t give up,” pep talk in the mirror some mornings. So many demands of this occupation didn’t even occur to me when I first started. Thankfully, I experienced a healthy dose of beginner’s luck to get me on my way. Living next to the craft store made it easy for me to get supplies, Denver had lots of venues open to beginner artists, and I made several big sales that encouraged me early on.
I have to work tirelessly to push my technical skill level. I am devoted to constantly developing my art by taking classes, watching instructional videos, or finally clicking “buy” on the art book in my online cart. I see exhibitions and shows as much as possible so that I can keep up with the conversation of contemporary art happening all over the globe.
I think the biggest struggle that will challenge me for the duration of my career as an artist is translating my vision of social justice. It is very important to me that my art be able to help people, in the same way, that art has helped me going through life. It’s my job to visually respond to my immediate circumstances; proactively instigate hope for a peaceful future; and promote a nonviolent response to injustices in my community and around the world. All of these things I must do with just a paintbrush and some art supplies.
For example, I’ve very recently found an environmental and economic issue threatening the health of my home and the land that I often paint. I’m using landscapes I’ve created in the Plein air style to combat industrialization in my rural neighborhood. The outcome has yet to be determined, but that’s one way I can imagine art being worth all the struggles.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a contemporary oil painter. My goal is to progress in the field of painting. I want to supply new building blocks for future generations that seek to understand and create art. I strive to produce oil paintings of the highest quality with obsessive attention to detail. I love working through the puzzles encountered in turning a blank canvas into a vision. My purpose is to visually revitalize community worldviews and to help people understand each other.
My proudest achievement to date is my first solo show on display in my hometown of Fairmont, MN from February 14 through March 30, 2023. I feel very blessed to have a place for my art to be displayed all together, telling one big story. I’m even more blessed to have people that want to come to see it! On display, I have 32 works of art, 22 of which I’ve created in the past year. I’ve worked really hard to make everything look the best I can and I think the final product looks amazing. I’m really proud of it.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My best advice is to say, “yes,” to as many shows and opportunities as possible when you’re first starting out. Different showing experiences will introduce you to people that you may love working with and events you like to participate in. Always ask your event organizers how you can help prepare for the show.
Another way to meet people in your field is by taking community classes. I highly recommend the Atelier Studio of Fine Art in Minneapolis. I met some forever friends taking a workshop and the participants all had good recommendations for art fairs to look into.
Pricing:
- Magnets, Stickers, and Pins $1-$5
- Matted Prints are $25-$35
- Original Matted Work $5-100
- Original Oil Paintings $80-$1,000+
Contact Info:
- Website: sarahvanassemiles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahvanassemiles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090380558684
Image Credits
Madeline Harpell
