Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or so the saying goes. When it comes to viewing the stunning works of visual artist Sara Golish, beauty is on display for all to see when taking in the visual splendour of her spectacular traditional and contemporary style works of art.

For the Windsor, Canadian born Golish, creativity has coursed through her veins since she first put pencil to paper as a toddler, unleashing a talent and keen eye for detail that would later go on to capture the art world’s attention with her poignant and stunning art work series MOONDUST and SUNDUST , a stellar collection of paintings featuring the regal beauty and power of women across the African diaspora. Sara calls this format Afrofuturism and you can see why, lying beneath the obvious depth and detail she puts into every piece, as much as you connect to the cultural and traditional components of the image, there is a sense of past, present and future etched into each work.

For Golish, who has also completed extensive work as a decorative painter, including designing and painting murals, her works are both important as they are necessary to the imprints of a pride culture as the African lineage. As both her Moondust and Sundust series of works depict the empowered stance of the African female, Golish herself is becoming a recognised and celebrated name in the art industry. Having worked on high-end residential, corporate and retail interior design projects stretching from Toronto, New York, LA and Barbados, Golish is an artist on the rise.

For me, an art appreciator for many years, I was immediately struck by a sense of purpose and pride when discovering Sara Golish and her resplendent creations online in a research session and I am truly blessed to be able to share her story and a glimpse inter her beautiful works with my readers. She is humble, honest and undoubtedly proud of her works that are bringing her steady global acclaim and firmly placing her name in the company of some of the great visual artists of our time.

Thanks so much for your time Sara, I truly appreciate it. Congratulations on the success garnered from your inspiring career as a visual artist. How has this past year being for you?

Thank you very much! The past year has been nothing short of amazing for my career. From the release of the Moondust series last January that really kicked things off, to the Sundust collection release and my first solo show in the summer, things have continued nicely since.

Your artwork is something that is truly unique and symbolic of the beauty and grace of the African woman. You hail from Canada and have been drawing and painting since you were a little girl. Your passion for art, especially portraits and human form have seen works grace properties and homes throughout the US and Canada. What has caught my attention is your amazing detail in the representation of the African female form – what is it about the majesty of a black woman that has evoked your artwork so much?

Well, one can’t always understand or explain why they are drawn or attracted to what they are. Sometimes it is what it is and you can spend your life trying to figure out the why. I’ve already spent a great deal of time trying gain clarity and haven’t been able to come to a clear understanding. There are an overwhelming number of reasons; visually, spiritually and politically, and yet nothing substantial to say at the same time. Sometimes there are so many various dialogs and directions one can take but they can’t all happen at once either.

From one standpoint, it’s similar to asking someone why they like Soul music. You can try to explain from a technical aspect the sounds or instruments that you hear in a song that invigorate you, or claim to enjoy the lyrics, but there is more to it than those words can describe. It’s how it makes you feel and the sensation that comes over you. You can try to muster up the language to explain those feelings but even then, those words are limiting to the true essence of a feeling. I feel the same way about visual art and the how and why I do or where the inspiration comes from. Sometimes it just comes down to a feeling or an urge that comes over you that you need to let it out but you can’t put your finger on the direct spark.

It’s also interesting because you said one of the reasons yourself in question, “what is it about the majesty?” That’s just it, it is the majesty itself that evokes the work. Yet, how can you explain the majesty of a woman or Black woman? How do you explain the richness, regality and expansiveness of an entire group of people that can fit into the label of “Black women”? I don’t want to put all Black women into a box. I don’t want to put women or humanity into a box. Black women come from all corners of the world. Throughout the African continent itself to the African Diasporas worldwide. Hailing from hundreds of different cultures, ethnic make ups, backgrounds, languages, influences and styles. Coming in various tones, colours, shapes and textures. And that’s part of what I love and what I’m drawn to. The incredible breadth of diversity of this planet.

Describe a typical day in the life of an artist like yourself? How does inspiration come to you and how does the world itself play a part in your creative process?

My days all vary based on what I have going on, and how little sleep I got the night before! I’m a bit of an insomniac so it doesn’t help my cause.

I used to meditate when I got up before I did anything really. I slipped out of that routine over the last 2 months or so, but I’ve started back on it again. The rest of the day can be a combination of going through email inquiries/correspondence, admin type stuff, expenses, painting, keeping up on social media, cleaning [because I always manage to make a mess even though I have the need for my space to always be tidy], putting together any orders that need to go out. Working on client’s pieces, going to the post office some days, sometimes I have photo editing or designing that needs to be done, researching, looking at or finding inspiration, checking up online what is happening in the world and often putting on some Netflix while I eat to relax or take my brain off of tasks. Some days are simply spent running errands and doing laundry or meeting with a friend. I work 7 days a week, so I like to make things happen when they need to and try to avoid errands when most people are off work and the city is too busy and crazy.

Inspiration can come from simply seeing an alluring photograph or hearing a really beautiful song. I’m not sure what my creative process is. It’s definitely fluid and all over the place.

What is it about being an artist appeals to you so? How would you best describe your method and technique when it comes to creating the pieces you do?

Striving to make and contribute something that’s positive and beautiful to this world. It’s an incredible and rewarding feeling when others tell you how much you inspire them. Also a lot of what I described in my previous answer as well – the idea of working for myself on my own schedule, on my own time and not someone else’s.

My method and technique are also not a solid concept. I often switch things up and try to do things differently. Sometimes because I want to experiment and sometimes because I can’t remember how I did that thing I did the last time! I find I’m often very haphazard in my ways.

When you are in your creative zone what keeps you motivated and do you have any particular rituals or music that inspires your artistic flow? What are your favourite musical artists / songs and why?

My space needs to be clean and in order for my creativity to thrive and function properly. It also requires music. Often scented candles as well! The music always varies with my mood. I wouldn’t say I necessarily have a “go to” type.

One of my top artists, hands down, is Stevie Wonder. He’s a musical genius. Aside from him there are far too many to mention so some of the main genres I listen to are Soul, Funk, Nu Jazz, Deep/soulful House, Motown, largely old school Hip Hop, Disco, Broken Beat, Jazz, R&B/Neo Soul, Reggae, Latin/Salsa/Calypso, Afro Beat. Why? Because they sound like art to my ears and my soul.

Where are your collections currently featured at the moment? ( Art Galleries, Museums, Public Spaces ) and what is the general public feedback on your works?

I have some of my paintings at a beautiful gallery in Charleston, South Carolina in the States right now. And 4 new paintings on their way there as we speak for a group show in February. Everything else that are not in my hands are in private spaces.

The general feedback to my work has been great. People seem to really like my style and/or technique and I’ve heard a number of times how “unique” it is. As an artist I believe that is a great milestone and huge to hear, particularly since that’s one of my personal overall goals.

Where can the international public purchase your beautiful works and follow your creative process?

I have a number of pieces both originals and prints available for direct purchase on my shop at www.saragolish.com/shop. Some original paintings are for sale at the gallery in Charleston at Robert Lange Studios. And some pieces like the latest series, Sundust, are available directly through me. So email inquiries can be made for those purchases or any others that say available on my portfolio page that aren’t on the shop.

The best way to follow my creative process would be on social media platforms [Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter] or my blog on my website. My Instagram is the best for frequent updates and progress shots. I also have a mailing list/newsletter sign up on my website contact page and blog panel so people can stay up to day that way as well!

What do you hope the message in your art will be one day when life is all said and done?

I’m not sure that it needs to be a messages within the art itself per say, but I’d rather it be part of a movement that changed, impacted or created a meaningful difference in the progression of us as a society and a race at large.

Your motto in life?

‘Everything happens for a reason’ and ‘Everything is relative.’

 

For more information on Sara Golish, her various art works and online store information visit: www.saragolish.com

 

 

Blessings

 

Ms Hennessey