Meet Sara Stoffmacher of Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Stoffmacher.

Hi Sara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a California-born multimedia artist exploring the intersection of abstract realism, emotional depth, and nature. I began painting at age two, inspired by my grandmother, an artist herself, and founded Artistry by Sara Stoffmacher in 2022 as a platform for layered, mixed-media storytelling.
I hold dual B.A. degrees in Psychology and Public Health from UC Berkeley (2023). I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University (2025) and balance my art practice with my work as an oncology social worker specializing in gynecologic oncology. Both my academic training and my lived experience navigating chronic health conditions profoundly shape my perspective. They deepen my exploration of the human condition, particularly the layered realities of womanhood, vulnerability, resilience, and the ways women’s bodies are perceived and politicized, themes I express through subtle symbolism and nuanced, emotionally charged form.
In 2022, I joined Gallery 2727 in Berkeley, exhibiting in three group shows and selling multiple original works. My work has been featured in the Peacock series Based on a True Story, Artistonish Magazine, Bare Magazine, Lights Camera Art, Teravarna, and is currently exhibited at Laguna Art Gallery in Southern California.
Beyond fine art, I design websites, lead social media campaigns, and collaborate with musicians on album covers and visual identities. I partnered with Cinc Collective on sustainable fashion collections, continuing to expand my practice across physical and digital spaces.
My art practice is both refuge and revelation, a space where I allow my mind to wander, experiment with bold color, and embrace unpredictability. I believe deeply in the beauty of imperfection and live by the motto “turning mistakes into art.” For me, creation is fluid and ever-evolving, and I hope my work inspires others to see transformation not as failure, but as possibility.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I created my art business at the height of the pandemic. After deciding to stay home in Los Angeles and complete school remotely from home during my sophomore year, I found myself craving connection. My garage became my sanctuary, a quiet space where I would paint for hours uninterrupted, processing the uncertainty and intensity of that time through color and form.
While the inability to share my work in person was frustrating, it also gave me space to grow. I refined my technical skills, explored digital mediums, and contributed to creative projects I might never have pursued otherwise. What began as isolation slowly transformed into expansion.
I want this to be clear; I did not start my business to seek a profit. From the beginning, my intention was to share my work and my message. I often tell clients that I work within budgets that feel comfortable to them, not the other way around. My goal has always been to make art feel accessible, to inspire someone to pick up a brush, splash paint on a canvas, and see what unfolds.
Building a creative practice in an ever-evolving landscape of emerging artists and shifting social media platforms can feel overwhelming. Some days, I wish I could simply set up in a large gallery, let people watch me paint, and call that enough. When I joined my first co-op in Berkeley at 21, I was the youngest member and had no formal art degree. Surrounded by artists who had devoted their lives to their craft, I felt like an imposter. Yet I also knew I had something to share, and so much to learn.
What I define as success is not measured by wealth or recognition, but by authenticity. I allow the idea of my “business” to fall away and create when I feel called to do so. There are periods of time when I step back from my art and redirect my focus to my career, research, or managing my chronic health, and I’ve learned to honor those rhythms. Ultimately, my art practice has taught me to embrace imperfection, take risks, and remain true to myself.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My art practice spans many mediums, with painting at its heart. I describe my style as abstract impressionism, full of bold colors and playful, whimsical energy. I love experimenting with mixed media, often ignoring traditional techniques and following whatever feels right in the moment. Being self-taught, my process is intuitive, which leads to imperfect, expressive works that reflect how I approach life itself.
Many of my pieces focus on the female form, a subject I continue to explore. I paint to honor femininity, strength, and power, often weaving these figures together with elements of nature. Some works include features inspired by myself, not quite self-portraits, but deeply connected to personal experiences.
Recently, my art (2 pieces) was featured in the original Peacock Show, Based On a True Story, which was a meaningful opportunity. Looking back, I am proud of staying true to my vision, creating not for trends or approval, but from authenticity, a challenge for any small business owner.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was an insatiably creative child, always reaching for something new, and I had wonderful parents who provided me with countless opportunities to explore my artistic side. I was expressive from the moment I was born and have always loved connecting with others, something that remains central to the work I create; I view my art business as a way to build connections in a world that can often feel divided and isolated. At my core, I was a nerd who wanted to succeed academically, yet my artistic side was equally important, and whenever I could turn a school project into something creative, I would seize the opportunity.
In high school, I was the poster girl, literally creating the posters and organizing the dances, and in college I continued experimenting with different forms of art through marketing and social media, fueled by endless energy. My art reflects my personality, which is simultaneously loud, calm, and understanding, and it allows me to connect with others in a deeply human way. This ability to connect through creativity also informs my career as a therapist, where empathy, insight, and expression are essential. I often use my art as an outlet to express what I feel inside, transforming internal emotions into something tangible and meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sarastoffmacher.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistrybysarastoffmacher
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarastoffmacher
• Other: https://linktr.ee/artistrybysarastoffmacher