My personal art practice began at the very young age or thirteen. Armed with a camera, imagination and energy I documented the children and teachers at my school; non-profit fundraisers for my mother; headshots for want-to-be actors and models; and dreary, industrial, grimy sections of my hometown of Forth Worth, Texas. I hid in the museums and libraries studying images, artists’ lives and influences. I loved being immersed in art and words as they fueled my passion.

The turning point was when I was exposed to Margaret Bourke-White’s photographs at the Amon Carter Museum. I knew then and there that I hoped that one day my images would have an impact on a viewer as hers had on me. My mission became to expose people to visions of the world that we may not want to see or acknowledge but are honest, emotive and powerful.

Now days I don’t use a camera as much as I used to but sculpt using textile techniques. The work is aggressive in its use of materials, raw in its forms, and emotive of unspoken concerns and obsessions. Doing our own work is a struggle, it’s a challenge and I remind myself daily that it’s brave to be an artist, to expose ourselves so openly to the world.

Along with my own studio work I provide artists and galleries with a range of services from design, critiques, and career development coaching. I love to work with clients at all levels of development. Together we look at their individual needs and ideals to see how goals may be achieved.

Design skills include:

• Print and web design
• Electronic marketing, social media
• Book, catalogue, e-book design
• Product development
• Online curriculum
• Advertising and press
• Project budgeting and resourcing

Coaching strengths include:

• Specialty: bridging fiber works with contemporary art
• Collaborating with and navigating the contemporary art world
• Finding resources and support for projects
• Preparing emerging artists for their “launch” and supporting established artists as the reach for higher goals
• Studio & Exhibition budgeting
• Establishing and exceeding set career goals

Some facets of the artist’s practice we examine:

• Writing & critical thinking
• Work critiques
• Research & development of a studio practice
• Locate support for work through publicity, residencies, grants, and exhibitions
• Determining financial goals and support that is needed to sustain a creative life

Artists/business owners/visionaries do not have only one job–making the work. That is just the first step. Much support and development is needed to sustain the artist/business/organization. Having a clear, precise idea of how you want “you” and “your work” seen is essential.

In the past eight years I’ve worked with truly remarkable individuals and organizations in a variety of developmental stages from superstar to emerging/start ups. Each client is unique and has a distinctive path that will support them and their goals.

If you are curious about me, my work, and a bit of what I do please view my website, http://www.sarahhewitt.com and http://www.straitjacketdesign.com.

“Alice Walker wrote in In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens that “we are a people. A people do not throw their genuises away. And if they are thrown away, it is our duty as artists, as witnesses for the future to collect them again for the sake of our children, and, if necessary, bone by bone.”

- opening paragraph from Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God

many many thanks to David and Lena Astilli!