Introducing our first FirstBank scholarship winner for the fall market, Sara Schalliol-Hodge, designer and maker of things at I Like Sara. Sara creates unique and handmade wood and linoleum prints. You can find her creations at the Horseshoe Market on October 3rd! Read more to learn about this Colorado artist.
1. Tell us about your art or craft and how you got started creating.
I like to call myself a “designer and maker of things” because I have made and designed many, many different things in my life so far. I have always had a strong desire to create things and this was always encouraged by my parents when I was growing up. Even before college, I had built several pinhole cameras, a large loom, several pieces of furniture, made glass beads, dabbled in pottery and large sculpture, and always had a drawing or painting in progress. There was no question that I would go to art school. I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and earned my BFA in Industrial Design. Being in an environment where literally everyone was making something was truly a dream come true for me. After college, I worked as an industrial designer and interior designer. The majority of my work was computer-based and clicking a mouse from 8 to 5 left me longing to make something with my hands. I started printmaking on a whim and quickly became addicted. I found carving into wood or linoleum to be extremely rewarding, and the ability to make multiple prints that are all unique incredibly satisfying. I feel grateful to have found an art-form that continually inspires and challenges me. My printmaking work features animals, factories, and generally things that make me chuckle to myself when I think of them.
2. What’s your favorite thing(s) about being an artist/creator working and living in Denver and Colorado?
My favorite things about being an artist/creator working in Colorado are the beautiful scenery, the amenities of a big city, and the community’s value of art and handmade. As I think most people living in Denver can agree, it is pretty awesome to be able to spend the day in the mountains, drive into the city for anything you could want, and probably along the way there will be some sort of market going on where people are buying and selling handmade goods.
3. What about the Horseshoe Market are you looking forward to, and what will folks find at your booth?
The Horseshoe Market will be my first large market and I am really excited to make connections with other artists and see how the public reacts to my work. I am working hard to make large quantities of work for the market and am branching out to different types of products so that I have a diverse assortment of goods for sale. I half-jokingly said the other day that having a fully stocked and successful booth at the Horseshoe Market will be my biggest accomplishment since having a baby! At the fall market, I will have hand-pulled linocut and woodcut prints, digitally reproduced prints, tea towels, greeting cards, fabric pennants, tote bags, and stickers.
