Sarah Woolley
The Lady Behind the Art Sower. . .
"Sarah. You have a job to do now . . .
To illustrate God's presence here on earth. Do it."
~Andrew Breitenberg, NieuCommunities South Africa
This website is an outpouring of who I believe I was created to be. As I create art, I sense that the "Original Artist" works through me and always has something to say. I am blessed as I watch how, in the process, seeds of hope, renewal, and inspiration are sown in others. I have the sense there are many more to be sown. Most of my artwork is not what many would call overtly "religious." Yet everything I create flows out of who I am as an unabashed (yet socially aware) follower of Jesus.
I have a strong passion to create. I've taken a variety of classes over the years in drawing, painting, figure sculpting, mixed media, and photography, and received my B.A. in Creative Writing and Fine Art from Marylhurst University. My senior project centered on artists who use writing in their work as subconscious self-therapy and included my own exhibition of forty-nine therapeutic mixed media works (click on "Mixed Media" to see examples). A native Oregonian, I grew up in a very artistic home, with an artist for a mom and an eccentric art dealer for a father, owner of the Mark Woolley Gallery in Portland, OR. In March 2002, after about four years of truth-seeking and answers to prayer, I accepted Jesus into my heart, wishing to fulfill God's purpose for my life. From 2007 through 2010, I lived in Pretoria, South Africa working in an apprenticeship program called NieuCommunities that focused on mentoring young Christian leaders into missional lifestyles. While there, I sensed God calling me to combine my artistic skills with my Christian faith- a prospect that most delighted me! Most of this art originates from when I was on the brink of the missional journey that led me to Africa. After eight months of studying God's Word more intensively at Capernwray Québec Bible School, I returned to my hometown of Portland, OR in May of 2011 and have been enculturating myself back into what is now very much known as "Portlandia." I am enjoying getting grounded again in my life as a writer and artist as God's horizon for my life gets ever brighter and more interesting!
Thank you so much for your interest in my art and my story.
~SKWoolley
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone.
But its death will produce many new kernels-- a plentiful harvest of new lives." ~John 12:24, NLT
To learn more about my past adventures in ministry, you can visit my blog at skwoolley.wordpress.com.
"Sarah. You have a job to do now . . .
To illustrate God's presence here on earth. Do it."
~Andrew Breitenberg, NieuCommunities South Africa
This website is an outpouring of who I believe I was created to be. As I create art, I sense that the "Original Artist" works through me and always has something to say. I am blessed as I watch how, in the process, seeds of hope, renewal, and inspiration are sown in others. I have the sense there are many more to be sown. Most of my artwork is not what many would call overtly "religious." Yet everything I create flows out of who I am as an unabashed (yet socially aware) follower of Jesus.
I have a strong passion to create. I've taken a variety of classes over the years in drawing, painting, figure sculpting, mixed media, and photography, and received my B.A. in Creative Writing and Fine Art from Marylhurst University. My senior project centered on artists who use writing in their work as subconscious self-therapy and included my own exhibition of forty-nine therapeutic mixed media works (click on "Mixed Media" to see examples). A native Oregonian, I grew up in a very artistic home, with an artist for a mom and an eccentric art dealer for a father, owner of the Mark Woolley Gallery in Portland, OR. In March 2002, after about four years of truth-seeking and answers to prayer, I accepted Jesus into my heart, wishing to fulfill God's purpose for my life. From 2007 through 2010, I lived in Pretoria, South Africa working in an apprenticeship program called NieuCommunities that focused on mentoring young Christian leaders into missional lifestyles. While there, I sensed God calling me to combine my artistic skills with my Christian faith- a prospect that most delighted me! Most of this art originates from when I was on the brink of the missional journey that led me to Africa. After eight months of studying God's Word more intensively at Capernwray Québec Bible School, I returned to my hometown of Portland, OR in May of 2011 and have been enculturating myself back into what is now very much known as "Portlandia." I am enjoying getting grounded again in my life as a writer and artist as God's horizon for my life gets ever brighter and more interesting!
Thank you so much for your interest in my art and my story.
~SKWoolley
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone.
But its death will produce many new kernels-- a plentiful harvest of new lives." ~John 12:24, NLT
To learn more about my past adventures in ministry, you can visit my blog at skwoolley.wordpress.com.
A VISION . . .
As I ponder who God has made me to be, I realize with increasing clarity that God’s purpose for my life is to BE that person to the fullest and most authentic extent that I can. To that end,
I see myself as a luminary, shining brightly as an example for the purpose of whole, restored lives in God’s holy Kingdom. As my light shines out for all to see (Mtt. 5:15), I find myself creating raw, honest art through various mediums, inspiring creativity and emotional vulnerability in others. I capture and reflect flecks of beauty in individual lives and the world, bringing hope and holiness into focus for the materially and spiritually impoverished. Through my gifts of writing and storytelling, I illumine and empower the disheartened, the downtrodden, and the marginalized. But I glow brightest in the telling of my own story, being an example of healing and restoration through brokenness, inspiring courage for others to own and live out their stories.
As my call to shine plays itself out, I see myself living a life of travel and adventure: sharing my light with other cultures, fostering natural friendships, and developing international ties of encouragement and support. Globally, I engage the fight against various social ills on a grassroots as well as purely spiritual level (Eph. 6:10-18).
Wherever I live and work, I help other women, young and old, to see their own light, mentoring and befriending them. I also illuminate the paths of those just on the verge of their visions, challenging them to go after God's unique purpose for them with all they have. I continually seek the light of biblical truth to spiritually ground others and myself. And I lead others on a well-lit path of health, healing, and holiness by example.
A good support network nurtures my light faithfully. When I am not traveling, I live within an intentional community dedicated to helping one another shine. Within such a community, I am a voice for innovation and unity, and create spiritual havens for people to meet and grow with God. This community is critical to my courage in letting my own story shine.
As I ponder who God has made me to be, I realize with increasing clarity that God’s purpose for my life is to BE that person to the fullest and most authentic extent that I can. To that end,
I see myself as a luminary, shining brightly as an example for the purpose of whole, restored lives in God’s holy Kingdom. As my light shines out for all to see (Mtt. 5:15), I find myself creating raw, honest art through various mediums, inspiring creativity and emotional vulnerability in others. I capture and reflect flecks of beauty in individual lives and the world, bringing hope and holiness into focus for the materially and spiritually impoverished. Through my gifts of writing and storytelling, I illumine and empower the disheartened, the downtrodden, and the marginalized. But I glow brightest in the telling of my own story, being an example of healing and restoration through brokenness, inspiring courage for others to own and live out their stories.
As my call to shine plays itself out, I see myself living a life of travel and adventure: sharing my light with other cultures, fostering natural friendships, and developing international ties of encouragement and support. Globally, I engage the fight against various social ills on a grassroots as well as purely spiritual level (Eph. 6:10-18).
Wherever I live and work, I help other women, young and old, to see their own light, mentoring and befriending them. I also illuminate the paths of those just on the verge of their visions, challenging them to go after God's unique purpose for them with all they have. I continually seek the light of biblical truth to spiritually ground others and myself. And I lead others on a well-lit path of health, healing, and holiness by example.
A good support network nurtures my light faithfully. When I am not traveling, I live within an intentional community dedicated to helping one another shine. Within such a community, I am a voice for innovation and unity, and create spiritual havens for people to meet and grow with God. This community is critical to my courage in letting my own story shine.
arT hiStoRy
XhiBiTioNs
2012, 2013, & 2014 "The Big 100," Annual Holiday Art Show & Benefit for Oregon Food Bank, Peoples Gallery, Portland, OR
July- November 2012 Mixed-Media Art Show of 18 small pieces and 1 installation piece at Mosaic Church, Portland, OR
April- May 2012 “Simply Red (2),” group show, Mark Woolley Gallery @ Pioneer, Pioneer Place Mall, Portland, OR
July- August 2006 “Love Trajectory,” 25-piece mixed media grid, missionary fundraiser, Mosaic Church, Portland, OR
March 2006 “Seven by Seven,” 49-piece mixed media grid, senior project, Marylhurst University, Marylhurst, OR
2003-2005 “One Foot After Another,” group show, Mark Woolley Gallery, Portland, OR
2004 “Innocent Transforming Light,” private art party, Portland, OR
2003 “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” group show, Gallery Bink, Portland, OR
2001-2003 Annual Benefit Art Auction, Cascade AIDS Project, Portland, OR
oTheR XpeRieNCe
Bachelor of Arts from Marylhurst University in 2006 in Interdisciplinary Studies (Creative Writing and Fine Art)
January 2013- Present--> Volunteer, Randall Children’s Hospital, Legacy Emanuel, Portland, OR
Assist in Art Therapy sessions; invite kids from rooms and help facilitate arts activities
August 31- September 2, 2012--> Mixed Media Art Workshop Facilitator, Wild Goose Festival, Corvallis, OR
Co-led a three hour expressive mixed-media art session at this faith and cultural festival, contributed art to gallery, and assisted with other arts activities.
March- May 2010--> Teacher, Mathlo Go Bona (“Eyes to See”), Soshanguve, South Africa
Pioneered South African portion of a Kids With Cameras-Type Project designed to help global communities see through the eyes of their children; taught eight-week class to eight elementary age kids, hosted a local photo exhibit, led fieldtrip to Photo Market Workshop and the Joburg Art Gallery
February 2008- December 2010--> Staff, Church Resource Ministries, Pretoria, South Africa
Member of NieuCommunities, a ten-month Christian leadership- training program; facilitated weekly “Community Check-In” and fine arts activities, mentored young women, organized volunteer activities, led fieldtrips, maintained long-lasting local friendships
March- November 2007--> Volunteer, The Potter’s House, Pretoria, South Africa
Christian women and children’s shelter in inner city; visited weekly at dinnertime, encouraged and befriended women, taught six-week therapeutic art and writing class to women and children
September 2004- March 2006--> Art Assistant, The Art Gym, Marylhurst University, Marylhurst, OR
Attended desk, assisted art preparator with all shows
PleAse xPloRe!
I have artwork, greeting cards, photographs, and painterly prints for sale,
and offer creative diy project ideas for individuals or groups.
