Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Sachs
Karen, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
It all started when I had just moved into an apartment by myself for the first time. I was in my mid-30’s, and excited about this change in my life.
The blank wall above my couch was screaming for attention – if the wall could talk, it would’ve asked me to put up some artwork. This blank wall symbolized my feeling lonely, vulnerable, scared, and empty. I wanted to cover up those feelings and that wall space.
So … I went shopping at a variety of “art” stores, but all they carried were art reproductions or posters of celebrities. Nothing excited me enough to spend any money. At the time, my day job was in the entertainment business. A co-worker, tired of my whining, suggested that I purchase a pre-stretched canvas and paint my own piece of art.
Her suggestion was surprising, but I took it. I started to paint, and creativity took over right away. I splashed vivid colors all over that first canvas and then finished it by adding one giant magenta heart.
As I painted, my energy and emotions were all over the place – going from happy to stressed to anxious to sad and, finally, to joyful. My charged emotions helped me create this abstract painting, which I named “Love Energy.”
After stepping back, I realized that this painting was an expression of me. I had never done anything like this before.
This experience changed my life because the process released my internal drama. It took me a little while to notice. Once I did, I continued finding ways to use art as a tool to live my life and to express my true self. When I create art, anything can show up. It was and still is fascinating to see.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I have a passion for creativity and how it is an outlet for self-expression. Creativity can be in anything and everything. It can be in the way you decorate your room, cook, or even how you color your hair.
The types of art I make is acrylic painting and glass mosaic. Color is the foundation for my art, and I believe colors carry emotion – I typically use vibrant colors that complement my big feelings.
I am all about being the best that I can be. One of my goals is to continually grow and experience life to the fullest. Creativity and creating art allow me to play in my imagination’s playground. Colors can explode onto a canvas just as life can. I love how art has created a different and extraordinary life for me.
When you use color in art, you can discover your essence. Painting, drawing, or other artistic endeavors can help you unfold your true nature. But be careful! You might find YOU! For me, creativity has healed some long-lasting wounds. It helped me to discover how to love myself truly. When I work on the Paint Your Essence workshops, I get to combine my love of painting with the importance of self-discovery. In these workshops, I assist my students in their artistic journey and emotional growth.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
Never. LOL. When it comes to my art, I look inward instead of outward. My art makes me smile because it is fun and playful, and I love how my pieces can stir up emotions in myself and others.
I firmly believe that art helps to heal. It did for me. It enables you to relax, reduces anxiety, creates possibilities, and can take you out of a funk. Creativity brings bountiful rewards. It helps generate a more productive life all around.
Because art stimulates, imagine how your own life’s blank canvas could be fun if you splash it with color – if it becomes a place where you show your authentic expression? Wouldn’t that be truly amazing? My “why,” as an entrepreneur, is that I give people permission to play. I help provide them with the chance to express themselves – to share their true essence. In doing so, life expands and becomes exceptionally colorful.
Here’s to living an extraordinary life filled with creativity and play.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
To see my art, visit karensachsart.com; to learn about my workshops, check out paintyouressence.com.
My current art exhibits and workshop are:
Salt & Pepper – An Adventure into Monochromatic Art
January 7-31, 2020
Address: GEO Gallery, 1545 Victory Blvd, Glendale, CA 91207
Fusion Art On-Line Exhibit 5th Annual Landscape Art Exhibit
January 5-February 4, 2020
https://fusionartps.com/5th-landscapes-featured-artists-january-2020/
Fusion Art On-Line Exhibit 2nd Annual Into the Wild Art Exhibit
December 15, 2019-March 15, 2020
https://fusionartps.com/2nd-into-the-wild-art-exhibition-winners/
The next Paint Your Essence Workshop is on February 2, 2020, 1p-5p in the Los Angeles area. The theme is “I am Enough.” https://bit.ly/2G2G8YJ
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paintyouressence.com
- Phone: 818-522-8127
- Email: karen@paintyouressence.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_paintyouressence/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kararts
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kararts
Image Credit:
Profile photo by Mark Comon
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