"What Happens When Emotions Meet Quantitative Data in Art?"
AN INTERVIEW WITH SARAH HART LANDOLT
Tinker Baoyu Chen
Sarah Hart Landolt is an innovative artist known for her unique, interactive approach to art. Specialising in acrylic on canvas, she incorporates community feedback into her creative process using quantitative data from social media. Through Instagram polls, followers share their associations with colours and body sensations linked to emotions. Sarah then creates multiple versions based on this input and has her audience vote for the best representation. This collaborative approach not only sets Sarah’s art apart but also deepens the emotional connection between her work and her audience, paving the way for a deeper exploration of her creative journey.
Sarah’s evolution as an artist reflects personal growth, emotional exploration, and creative discipline. Her work is intricately connected to her life experiences, relationships, and reflections on mental health. This article, based on an interview I conducted with her, explores what motivated Sarah to become an artist, where she draws inspiration, how art supports her emotional well-being, her relationship with social media, and how she continues to nurture her connection to art.
What Inspired Her to Become an Artist?
Sarah’s passion for art began in her early childhood. She described how she would spend hours colouring with crayons, showing a deep interest in colours and fashion from a young age. This early inclination was recognised and nurtured by her parents, especially her father, who supported her artistic development. “My dad bought me an easel, my first acrylic paints, and canvases. He even got me a book on Picasso when I was 9 years old,” Sarah shared, this support laid the foundation for her creative journey and set the stage for her lifelong connection with art.
What Inspired Her to Paint Emotions?
One of Sarah’s most notable and favourite projects is “Feeling Heart,” which portrays various emotions such as gratitude, guilt, and disappointment. The inspiration for Sarah’s emotion-based paintings stemmed from her close relationship with her niece. When her niece was 6 years old and began attending children’s counselling in 2018, they used a chart of 16 emotions with emoji faces to help identify and communicate feelings. “My dad gave me the idea to paint all of those emotions,” Sarah said, recounting how she turned this concept into a creative project that combined her niece’s emotional journey with her own artistic expression.
How She Seeks Ideas/Inspiration for Emotion Painting
Sarah’s unique approach to creating her emotion paintings involved her social media following. To gather inspiration, she created interactive polls on Instagram, asking her followers, “What colours do you associate with this emotion (e.g., disappointment)?” and “Where do you feel it in your body?” The feedback she received played a significant role in shaping her work. “I got such good responses that it made the experience way better, as it was not just based on my perceptions but had input from others,” she noted. This process not only brought diversity to her art but also made it more engaging and inclusive, allowing her audience to feel part of the creative journey.
What Role Does Art Serve in Her Mental Health?
Art has always been a medium for Sarah to express and manage her emotions. When asked if painting consistently helps her channel her feelings, she reflected on the satisfaction of creating even imperfect pieces. “I often paint very ugly things... but it almost is satisfying to just get the ugly out,” she admitted. While these works are not meant for display, the act of painting them provides her with emotional relief. Sometimes, however, the process can be frustrating. “Sometimes I think, ‘I can’t believe I just painted that; it turned out terrible,’” she said, but she tries to view these moments as part of her creative process, appreciating the process of creating rather than the outcome.
Her View and Experience on Social Media and Its Impact
Sarah’s relationship with social media has been complex. Initially, Instagram was a platform for showcasing her art and connecting with her audience. However, over time, the pressure of maintaining an online presence became draining. “If I want to sell work or make it available, I need to post it,” she said, acknowledging that lack of engagement or sales could be discouraging. Despite this, she has stepped back from using social media as a primary tool for validation. “I’ve been painting for myself... it’s just an expression, kind of colour therapy,” she remarked, emphasising her current focus on personal fulfilment rather than external validation.
Her Relationship with Art Now
Today, Sarah’s relationship with art is marked by discipline. She makes an effort to visit her studio at least once a week, even if she isn’t feeling particularly inspired. “Sometimes it’s just the feeling of being there,” she explained. This routine helps her maintain her creative flow and stay connected to her artistic identity. Whether she is painting, organising her studio, or taking photos of completed works, the act of showing up is vital. “It’s more about the discipline of showing up and doing it regularly enough to eventually create something I love,” she added.
Art and Life Balance
Interestingly, Sarah has found balance by combining her art with a career in software development. Learning to code provided her with a structured, left-brain activity that contrasted sharply with the emotional intensity of her art. “It was such a relief to be thinking about code instead of emotions,” she said. This balance has helped her feel more regulated and content, allowing her to approach art without the pressure she once felt.
Sarah Hart Landolt’s journey as an artist is more than just a story of creating beautiful paintings. It is a testament to the power of art as a means of self-expression, emotional release, and personal growth. From her childhood love of colour and the unwavering support of her parents to her innovative emotion series inspired by her niece, Sarah’s art is deeply personal and rooted in her experiences. By actively involving her audience in the creative process, Sarah has demonstrated a rare combination of openness and adaptability, qualities that have made her work resonate beyond the canvas. Sarah’s disciplined practice, even when not driven by emotion, highlights her dedication to art as both a process and a passion. These traits not only underline her strength as an artist but also as a person who is willing to navigate challenges and continually grow. Her journey reminds us that art is more than an end product; it is a celebration of self-expression, vulnerability, and the courage to share one's innermost experiences with the world.
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