Sarah Verardo Answers "4 Questions"
1. Your stories/memories are personal. What do you think about viewers
bringing their own interpretation to your paintings?
I consider this one of my greatest objectives—to have my work activate something
in the viewer, whether it aligns with my reflections or is entirely their
own. Personally, I had always struggled with the desire to lead an impactful life but
always felt that kind of influence was reserved for the most exceptional people. I'm
pretty introverted and never really stood out, even though I wanted to be someone
who could serve others or do something meaningful. One of the biggest reasons
why my art has been such a source of fulfillment for me is the experience I’ve had
watching others take something from my work that is their own. Sometimes, they
see something different in the imagery, or their experiences mirror mine. Other
times, they’re inspired on their own creative journeys. Knowing my work resonates
with others gives me a greater sense of purpose than just the joy of creating it for
myself.
2. How do you overcome creative blocks?
I can’t say I’ve had moments where I’ve been completely blocked, but I definitely
experience moments of uncertainty. Sometimes, I step away entirely, and other
times, I take a brief break and focus on something else. I’ve often felt more
overwhelmed than blocked, producing rather than truly creating. When that
happens, I make a conscious effort to stop and reconnect with my creative
mindset by working on something different—whether it's an abstract piece that
may never be seen or a sketchbook drawing. It’s like hitting the reset button for my
brain and reconnecting with the reason I started this journey. I didn’t begin
painting to make a living, but to fulfill a creative need outside of my work. While
I’m fortunate to be a working artist, I think it’s critical to maintain a balance
between my creative self and the demands of the business side of art. I wouldn’t
say it’s a matter of time management, but rather perspective management.
3. What is your biggest inspiration?
I often speak about how grief has influenced my work, but as many know, grief
doesn’t have an end—it evolves. What started as reflections on loss has
transformed into meditations on time, shared experiences, and connectedness. Of
course, it’s clear that my literal environment is a source of inspiration for me, but it
is as much my physical space as how I’m experiencing life at this given moment. If
you track how I’ve talked about my work over the years, you’d probably see a
direct map of how I have evolved and continue to evolve at a spiritual, emotional,
and intellectual level.
4. How does your art affect other aspects of your life?
I have a love-hate relationship with social media—mostly hate—but as a working
artist, it’s a necessary part of putting myself and my work out there. Sharing my
art inevitably means revealing my deepest thoughts, struggles, and reflections in
ways I never would otherwise. My art practice has led me to expose parts of
myself that I never thought I’d share, and in doing so, it’s opened new relationships
and added depth to existing ones. Every artist knows the vulnerability that comes
with sharing their creations. While it brings anxiety, there’s also a unique
empowerment in putting yourself out there. Life is filled with "should’ve, would’ve,
could’ve" moments, but I find it hard to regret sharing my most authentic self
through my work.
Learn more about this artist:
Radio Mainepodcast interview #126