Inspirational Interview with Sara Lynch
Sara Lynch was born and raised in Potsdam, a small college town in the extreme north of New York State. Her father is a math professor who stares at the ceiling for hours to solve his equations. Her mother is a writer who is currently working on a book. From 2002 to 2006 she attended Alfred University to study painting, photography, and psychology. She earned a BFA in painting and ceramics. Upon graduating she returned home to run the after school program at a childcare center and and work on her art. She aims to depict the beauty of everyday life and recycle things other people consider trash.
Sara has attended Medalta International Artists Residency, The Penland School of Crafts, and Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts for residencies and workshops in ceramics. She also attended the Vermont Studio Center for a four week residency in painting. Vermont is where she started her current line of work involving painting on non traditional objects. Her work has been shown in various local galleries as well as Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, and New York City.
I met Sara virtually on Facebook through a mutual friend, Cappy Sue, who also had an inspirational interview on My Dreams Matter. I asked Sara a few short questions about how she came to find herself doing what she loves for a living. Here’s what she had to say:
What struggles did you encounter in order to become successful doing what you love?
“When I graduated from art school I had no idea what to do with myself. All I knew was that I wanted to make art. I moved in with my parents and rented a studio. I wasn’t able to move out for 5 years. I simply could not afford a studio and apartment till just this past summer. Right when I moved out I spent money and time arranging to go to an artist residency. I have been to one every summer since graduating in places all over the East Coast as well as Western Canada. They are where I recharge artistically, meet new people, and get lots of work done.“
What people, places or things motivated you to make your dreams come true?
“Somehow realizing I couldn’t depend on others to get my work done motivated me to turn my painting studio into a painting and pottery studio. Luckily some super nice potters offered to sell me a little kiln. I took them up on that offer and stopped putting my dream off. Actualizing a goal that had seemed so far away not too long ago is probably one of the best motivations out there. If I managed to accomplish something that seemed too hard and impractical before, what else could I do?”
How did you deal with fear, doubt and worry?
“I saw this somewhere the other day and I think it sums up how I feel fairly well:
If you can do something about it, do it. If you can’t, then worrying about it won’t do anything, so stop.“
Who or what inspires you to stay motivated?
“I am a compulsive creator. I will deprive myself of sleep simply to stay up and make weird stuff. It’s not so much a matter of motivation as it is focusing. I find the people I interact with to be my biggest inspiration. The kids I work with at daycare will help me work out ideas through sketches. My friends in real life and on facebook suggest off the wall ideas and regular customers make requests. It’s other people’s ideas that help me to focus my compulsion. Having said this I would not be anywhere if it hadn’t been for the support of my middle school, high school, university, and then workshop instructors. Their knowledge of history, technique, and esthetics helped me learn so much.”
Thanks so much, Sara! I really admire your drive and passion to do what you love and not settle for anything but self-made happiness. You are truly making a living doing what you love by running the after school program at a Child Care Center. And, you’re an artist! I encourage everyone to check out Sara’s official website, her Etsy store, and fan her on Facebook!