Sarah Zoutewelle-Morris is an American artist, graphic designer and calligrapher living in Holland. With an established freelance carreer in her back pocket, she now works on making art meaningful not just for herself, but for others. Her encouraging words and her selfless efforts are so moving and inspiring. I’m really grateful that she’s taken time to share a view of her workspace, her materials, and her thoughts on her latest projects:

“I am a hands-on sort of person and I’d rather be in my sunny studio with art materials spread all around me than facing a computer screen. On my work table are several things that are precious to me- one is a felt bag made for me by a friend. The nice part is the colours in it were inspired by one of my oil pastel drawings. You can also see my ceramic ‘Queen’ pot, the one with all the little side pockets. It is filled with drawing tools now, but in former lifetimes it has housed mini-succulents and cacti.”

My favourite fine art materials are my oil pastels. But what I reach for when I want to play or make gifts for friends are my collections of rice papers, recycled papers, felt pieces, and the scraps of painted silk made by my artist ‘aunt’, Eve.

“Music is the one thing I couldn’t do without in my workspace. I always draw, paint and craft to my favourite CD’s. Also, when I’ve been sitting too long, I love to get up and dance! Dire Straits usually gets me moving, but I more often listen to Joni, CSN, and Pat Metheny.”

“Right now I’m working on my usual mixed bag of commissions: a logo and stationery for a small healing practice, lettering for above the door of the village church, calligraphy for a fine-art work of my sister-in-law’s based on Bach cantatas.”

“One day I will treat myself to the complete Sennelier oil pastel collection in the beautiful wooden box. I don’t really have a dream commission because I am pretty much free to make what I want. But everyone has dreams and one of mine is to create a thriving ethical business based on the work I do in healthcare facilities. I use the arts to establish meaningful contact with people with Alzheimer’s.”

{To see more of Sarah’s work and to read more about how she uses her art to help others, visit her website, ArtWell. In a world where we are easily swept up by personal ambitions and gains, it’s really worth thinking about how we can use our talents and skills in a less self-centered way, to create socially meaningful art.}

May 2nd, 2007