What kind of artist are you?
I guess the most accurate answer would be a multimedia artist? That’s a tough one to answer. Music and writing came first, and these days I try to keep up those pursuits in addition to working on graphic design projects and abstract, mixed media paintings. However, life in community and prioritizing holistic health take as much if not more creativity than the traditional art forms, so I consider these things to be artistic endeavors as well.
How long have you lived in Shreveport?
7 years. I moved here to go to Centenary College, graduated in 2011, and am proud to call Shreveport home now.
What gives your art depth and meaning?
Always working from a place of empathy, staying aware of the connectivity of everything/everyone, always working in layers, respecting Mystery, and integrating a diverse array of influences and information into each project.
If you had unlimited funds, what you do?
Build a state-of-the-art makers’ studio in Shreveport for the arts community––complete with a fully equipped recording studio, Mac lab, tool library, woodworking shop, painting and photography studios, meeting rooms, all-purpose maker’s space, and a small cafe to serve local food & beverages. Then make a ton of work in the space!
What’s your favorite place/thing to do in Shreveport-Bossier?
Thing: Hang out with my friends and family. Place: Wherever they are.
Also, jogging around the Gilbert loop and hanging out at Rhino Coffee or Sevendipity for solitary time reading, writing, and researching while downing too much coffee. Oh, and I’m enjoying Air U (the new trampoline warehouse) pretty thoroughly too!
What’s your favorite color?
Deep red, purple, burnt orange, brown or grey…depending on the day you ask.
What are your favorite colors to use in your art? Why?
Burnt Orange: It’s an earthy color that almost pulses with creative energy.
Aqua/Teal: It complements orange and references the fluid movement of water. (And I love the water).
Grey: It’s realistic. So few things in life are black and white…I feel like we live in the grey area maybe even more often than we’re ready to admit.
Deep Red: It’s a passionate and sensual color. Desire and engagement of the 5 senses are fundamental in our lives.
Dark Purple: It’s a color associated with a few things I either find unavoidable or essential to pursue or acknowledge: mystery, lament, & frustration…but also wisdom, balance (as it is equal part red and blue), and dignity. And it’s just easy on the eyes.
White: I like to accent with white as a reference to peace and rightness––how things were created to be and will again be one day.
I dig color theory. Obviously.
What was the first piece of art you ever completed?
That’s hard to say. We have a box of almost a hundred “books” that I wrote and illustrated as a little kid––most of which I made before I could spell, so that gets entertaining. And the first song I wrote that we have on record was called “My Favorite Boy”––performed during bath time, sung into a cassette recorder, and fondly dedicated to my Big Bird bath toy. Also entertaining.
How, if at all, has the Shreveport-Bossier artistic scene changed while you’ve been working within it?
There seems to be a growing community of artists and entrepreneurs who are claiming Shreveport as home and investing in things like the Texas Avenue Maker’s Fair, supporting local venues, and/or starting small businesses. Creativity breeds creativity so it’s encouraging to be here amidst all of that!
If you could be any animal what would you be?
A wolf. Strong enough to be pretty independent, but loyal and wise enough to stay together with the pack. Sleek, intuitive, and vocally expressive. (Yes, I’ve thought about this before.)
What does being an artist mean to you?
It means being who I’m made to be in the world (I hope). It means I’m committed to pursuing beauty, always looking for ways to transform what’s been broken or painful into something new that restores life to people or a place. It means my job is to pay attention, listen, learn constantly, feel, dig deep, and then make some sense of things by making things. And to share what I find. It means I never, ever have an excuse to be bored. It means my mind rarely stops, and the work is hard and sometimes absolutely nerve-wracking, but so fun and fulfilling on the good days. It means I get to connect with some amazing people. And last but definitely not least, it means that I can wear clothes covered in paint in public places and not be embarrassed about it.
When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
More than there being a point at which I knew that I wanted to be artist, it’s been a process of discovering that I am already an artist by nature…then embracing that fact and acting on it.
Did you have any idols/role models that helped facilitate this dream?
So many. There were numerous people early on––family members, babysitters, older kids at church, etc.–– that either helped to develop my imagination or showed me it was possible to pursue work in the arts. In recent years, I’ve ended up with some amazingly gifted friends who grow me as an artist just by being around, bouncing ideas back and forth, and collaborating. Better known artists who have probably had the most direct influence on my work are Joni Mitchell, Sandra McCracken, Derek Webb, Patti Smith, and Thomas Merton. I learn from them constantly.
What words of advice would you give to young – or old – people pursuing an artistic life..?
Don’t settle for easy, dig deep, be vulnerable, get disciplined, embrace a routine, make a lot of work, find a community, commit and stick around. Be brave and keep going. And be generous.
What do you hope people feel from looking at your work? Gain? Experience?
First, I hope people would feel. Period. Then I hope they’d realize that they’re not alone––that they’d feel a connection with something or someone that maybe they didn’t before the encounter. I hope they’d ask questions or have new thoughts. I hope they’d feel inspired to go and make something themselves––whether that’s an art piece, a conversation, a journal entry, an apology, a game night, a meal, etc.
What do you like on your hamburger? Or are you vegan?
I don’t eat many hamburgers, but when I do I enjoy the heck out of it! Whole wheat bun, cheddar cheese, ketchup, spinach, onions, pickles, (and avocado if that’s an option).
You can visit sarahduet.com to see more of Sarah’s work and stay up to date on new projects. Sarah is also on staff at the Yellow House of Highland, an intentional community for young adults and part of Community Renewal International’s work in Shreveport. Visit criyellowhouse.com for more info or to connect with the Yellow House community.
