Sara Ödman: Studio Visit
“I love to work on big canvases, that’s when I feel the most comfortable and free.”
INTERVIEW WITH SARA ÖDMAN AND LAURA DAY WEBB
LYON, FRANCE
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to be an artist?
In my early twentes I moved from South Sweden to settle down in Paris where I studied and worked 10 years. With a Master's degree in Art Direction from the school ESAG Penninghen, my design has crossed different disciplines such as window display design, brand identity and packaging design within luxury and prêt-à-porter.
When working in Beijing, I made my first encounter with textile and print design, a passion that I’m constantly inspired to develop.
To create is an infinite part of me and has always been, I’ve loved to illustrate since I can remember. The empty paper inspires me, I always get my energy flowing just by the thought of coloring that white space. I come from an artistic family where art has always been a way to express yourself and I definitely feel that imagination and creativity are my fuels for feeling alive.
What is your approach to starting a new work?
I start with sketches, composing different shapes and colors until a composition catches my attention. Then I start working on my canvas, building it up with different layers of colors, working almost exclusively with acrylic and brushes. I take a break, two steps back, deciding what to change and what to keep un,l I find a balance, and I’m satisfied with the result.
Surrounded by the prairies and the ocean my entire childhood, nature is a big part of my roots and my source of inspiration. It’s an endless treasure with combina,ons of colors and shapes and I play with that in mind crea,ng abstract encounters in my paintings.
I love to work on big canvases, that’s when I feel the most comfortable and free.
Do you listen to music when you are working and what do you listen to?
Yes I get a lot of energy listen to music while working. Right now the tunes of Otis Redding, Nina Simone and Harry Styles are swinging through my days.
What role does your studio space play in your practice?
It plays a big role. I need to feel free and positve in my work space. I paint in my loggia surrounded by windows and natural light and I feel great there.
Are there any elements or objects in your studio setup that have special significance to you and your practice?
Yes, a brush that I’ve used since I started to paint. The shank is covered with thick layers of paint and I love how it evolves with each piece I create.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on new abstract paintings in large and medium scale as well as artwork for a collaboration with limited series of prints, coming soon.
