It's hot, hot, hot outside, and our gallery walls are soon to be looking fire because the latest artist to join our growing roster, Sarah Thorne Davis, launches in our collection on Wednesday! We've become fast fans of Sarah Thorne's take on the traditional still life painting and are over the moon that come 10 am on June 26th, ten of her latest works will be hanging on our gallery walls and brightening our days. For those of you who don't know Sarah Thorne or her work, allow us to make the introduction. Sarah Thorne is an artist in Birmingham, AL. Painting is her creative outlet. She uses acrylics, oil pastels, charcoal, gold, and silver leaf, and more to create mixed media abstract paintings and modern still life paintings. As the daughter of an artist, the motto growing up was “let’s make it!” There’s always an opportunity to be creative. She finds inspiration in her faith, nature, photography, cooking, and music. When she’s not painting, she’s with her husband, Ryan, and their three children, Harper (14), Wilson (13), and their caboose, Margot (6). Her hobbies include folding laundry, making lunches, and stealing from her kids' candy stash. If y'all are like us and are currently counting the minutes until Sarah Thorne's launch, might we distract you with some light reading? Get to know the artist behind the paintbrush in our new artist interview, Pardon Me, Sarah Thorne Davis!
What is currently on your nightstand?
So many library books that I haven’t started, but of course, I plan to.
A box with chapstick, headphones, heel balm-no one prepares you for old lady heels. A sound machine, lamp, and photos of my kids. And water and coffee cups that need to go to the kitchen.
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
As someone who isn’t formally trained, I think growing up in a creative home has had the biggest influence on my art. My mother is not a rule follower, soI am constantly reminding myself that there are no rules!
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
Goodness, this is hard. Today I would say water-soluble wax pastels.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
In my living room, you’re surrounded by large pieces of art, a big vintage rug under your feet, cozy couches, and a large window view of a forest.
Now, there are also 5-year-old toys everywhere and more empty glasses on each table that need to be gathered, but we’re not focused on that.
What is your biggest score online?
A huge vintage rug for $200 on ebay.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
You’re already looking at a curated selection. You follow Well & Wonder because they are doing the hard work of finding artists that they respect and art that they love. My recommendation is to buy the pieces that you fall in love with. I don’t worry too much about size-I’m going to find a place for the pieces I love.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why? Seeing Monet’s Blue Water Lilies at the Musee de l’Orangerie in Paris was the most breathtaking piece of art that I’ve ever seen.
If you were a lipstick color, would you be red, pink, or clear, and why?
These lips won’t lie, I would be clear Burts Bee’s Bees Chapstick. I’ve been addicted for 30 years now. I remember making Chapstick with a Martha Stewart kit when I was in high school. We have a history.
I can never get on a plane without….
Snacks and earphones. I’m going to savor those hours with a snack and a movie!
How did you get into the world of art?
I grew up in a very creative home. I remember helping my mom paint large diamonds on our floors, and we were always creating, making American Girl doll food out of clay, painting stripes on the walls on a whim, and painting furniture.
What do you do to relax?
There’s something relaxing about turning on music and methodically chopping up food to feed my family.
Also, that moment at the end of the day when I plop down on the couch with a show to watch, a glass of wine, day is done, gone the sun.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
Probably when traveling, it’s great to get out of my own box and take time to look up.
Prediction for the Color of 2027?
What’s the color of 2026? I don’t believe in trends; everything comes back around!
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
With my husband, dinner and a movie always. When the girls come to town, dancing all night
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
I needed a large piece of art for my living room when we first moved in, and so I bought a canvas and painted an abstract painting in about 1 hour. It was one of my fastest paintings and has been hanging in the same spot for over 8 years now.
One piece of advice for buying original art?
Always buy art that you love, not what you think matches your house. Then you’ll always have art that speaks to you.
