Words with Friends | Sara Pittman

Letting Nature Take Over: In Conversation with

Sara Pittman

This month Amy Parry Projects visited with Atlanta-based painter Sara Pittman. We discussed her process and progression as an abstract painter, travels to Japan and the exciting news of expecting her first child. APP worked with Sara on our Boca West Country Club project, and we have the pleasure of commissioning a new piece of original work at the 1441 Peachtree luxury apartments, opening summer, 2024.

Untitled, 54”x54”, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 2023

APP: Congratulations on your upcoming new addition! Do you think that pregnancy has changed how you paint?

SP: Definitely! I discovered that I had to throw my hands up and let nature take over. My work has evolved from purely non-representational to a suggestion of blooming flowers, while still not being literally floral, which evokes the symbolism of giving birth.

APP: What about your trip to Japan? What kind of inspiration did you find there?

SP: Prior to my trip I was feeling burnt out, like I was wearing shoes that no longer fit. That trip helped me see through new eyes. I was inspired by the sounds, the smells, the way women moved, and I tried to be open to all the beautiful things. I loved the way that kimono patterns contained florals which almost burst into landscape patterns, and I began creating a hint of landscape (again not being literal) in my work. There is an evolution from completely abstract, to the addition of floral and landscape, and reabsorbing those qualities into the abstract.

(Floral) Wonderland, 48”x72”, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 2023

APP: It seems like abstract work can be the most difficult to create because of the endless possibilities. What is your starting point? How do you decide what shapes and colors to put to canvas?

SP: I always take 10 minutes before I start painting to make sure I’m in the right headspace. Otherwise, I know it’s not going to work. Then it takes about an hour to get into the flow of it. If I have the right mindset, the painting just reveals itself. If you know yourself, and you’re really being intuitive, the work is a reflection of you. The flow part is like a yoga practice, pursuing curiosity, not perfection.

(Non Representational) Entanglement, 40”x30”, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 2023

APP: It also sounds like a meditation practice.

SP: Yes! I used to listen to podcasts while I worked, but I realized that I wasn’t completely present while painting and the flow wasn’t there. Now I listen to music. To me, musicians are the most creative of all artists.

APP: What kind of music do you listen to? Does the kind of music you hear affect your work?

SP: All kinds, pop, alternative, Bon Iver…when Fall hits (my favorite season,) I always put on a Fall-sounding playlist (music that makes me feel cozy,) which helps me to slow down and really get into the flow. Then when I need more energy, I play some Indie-Pop, and I might create something like a leaf caught in the wind.

APP: What would be your dream project?

SP: I’d like to create a huge backdrop for a stage for a ballet. And it must involve music, so maybe a symphony playing at the same time. To combine all these practices would be so beautiful. When I look at a painting, I often hear music.

APP: If you had any advice for other artists, what would it be?

SP: Just keep pushing and have a backbone about rejection. It’s not about you. For every good day, I have 10 rough days, so persistence is vital. Also be open to learning more about yourself, your strengths, your quirks, so you can create something truly intuitive.

To learn more about Sara’s work, please visit her website