Finding Her Way Back to Art: A Conversation with Sara Rae
From graphic design to plein air painting, Sara Rae reflects on building a full-time art practice, the importance of community, and finding the discipline to keep creating.
Sara Rae's path back to making art has taken an unexpected turn. She grew up in Claremont, New Hampshire, earned her BFA in Graphic Design from Plymouth State University in 2004, and went on to work in a print shop in Plymouth. After the birth of her oldest son, she moved back to Claremont to be closer to family and put her art career on hold. In 2024, after moving to Sutton, the timing felt right to return to art. This time, however, she found herself drawn to painting rather than graphic design.
Since then, Rae has built a full-time painting practice that takes her both into the studio and outdoors. She paints plein air, participates in CFA's Plein Air Arts Group, works with a professional artist through a mentorship program, and continues to learn alongside other artists in the region. Her work has been featured in CFA's Arts in the Harbor and Naturally New England exhibitions, and she currently has work on display at the Blue Loon in New London.
Rae's involvement with the arts community goes beyond her own studio practice. She co-manages the New London Hospital Microgallery and has become an active part of CFA's artist community. Through these experiences, she has seen how much artists can learn from and support one another—and how meaningful it can be for people to encounter original art in their everyday lives.
For Open Studios on October 3 and 4, Rae will welcome visitors to her home in Sutton, where she will be joined by fellow artist Heidi Lorenz. Weather permitting, the two will paint plein air throughout the weekend, giving visitors a chance to see their materials, their process, and how differently two artists can interpret the same subject.
In this conversation, Rae reflects on finding her way back to art, building a consistent creative practice, learning from other artists, and the importance of simply starting.
Q: Please begin by sharing where you grew up and where you live and work today.
A: I grew up in Claremont, NH and I currently live and work in Sutton, NH.
Q: Tell us a little about your artistic journey. What led you to commit to becoming a full-time artist roughly ten years ago?
A: I received my BFA in Graphic Design in 2004 from Plymouth State University. From there I worked in a print shop in Plymouth, NH until my oldest son was born. I then moved back to Claremont, NH to be near family and my art career was placed on hold until 2024. At this time we moved to Sutton, NH and the timing was right to focus on art again. However, surprisingly it was in the form of painting and not graphic design.
Q: Maintaining a full-time studio practice requires considerable discipline. What does a typical working day or week look like for you, and how do you sustain your creative momentum?
A: A typical work day for me is to walk first thing in the morning, check email/social media, breakfast and then decide where to paint for the day, either in the studio or outside. Most days I will paint until 2–3 o'clock and then it varies from computer work, framing, paperwork, etc.
If I happen to start feeling bored or unrestful I change it up from the studio to plein air or set up a new still life. If I just don't feel like painting or it's not going well that particular day I don't push it.
As an artist you have to wear many hats and while sometimes that can be exhausting it also keeps things fresh.
“As an artist you have to wear many hats and while sometimes that can be exhausting it also keeps things fresh.”
Q: How has your work evolved since you made that commitment? Are there subjects, techniques, or ideas that have become more important to you over time?
A: Since I started painting full time I have experienced tremendous growth in many aspects. Putting in the time to paint or sketch everyday really does make a difference.
I also participate in a mentorship program with a professional artist and I attribute my success to that as well. It's important to keep learning, to keep exploring and to keep pushing yourself.
When I first started full-time I made it a priority to join a local plein air group. Being in the presence of like-minded individuals and having people to be able to bounce ideas and questions off of is really helpful.
“It's important to keep learning, to keep exploring and to keep pushing yourself.”
Q: You participated in both CFA's Arts in the Harbor and Naturally New England exhibitions. What did those experiences offer you as an artist, and how does exhibiting alongside other regional artists influence the way you view your own work?
A: I have learned over the last two years that you start traveling the same circuit with other artists. It's really helpful to have people you are familiar with to gain experience from, network with and to grow with.
It's really interesting to see how we all progress as time goes on and we can cheer each other on.
Q: You are also exhibiting work at the Blue Loon in New London. How does showing art in an active community space differ from exhibiting in a traditional gallery?
A: Sharing art in an active community space is very rewarding. You often times get feedback that you wouldn't normally receive. It's really nice hearing how the community members appreciate and enjoy the work.
Q: You have been deeply involved with CFA both as an exhibiting artist and as co-manager of the New London Hospital Microgallery. What have you learned from presenting and caring for the work of other artists?
A: The more we can support each other the farther we will go. We all start somewhere and to be able to help others the way I receive help is very rewarding.
“The more we can support each other the farther we will go.”
Q: What role do CFA's Microgalleries play in making original art more visible and accessible throughout the community?
A: From my experience co-managing the New London Hospital Microgallery the patients and the community couldn't be more appreciative of the exhibits. When we change out the exhibits and the walls are temporarily bare it feels like the heart and soul has left the building.
Art can change someone's whole day/perspective.
“Art can change someone's whole day/perspective.”
Q: You participate in CFA's Plein Air Arts Group. What draws you to working outdoors, and how does painting on location affect the way you observe and interpret a place?
A: Painting plein air is a whole different experience but I believe it will train you to see things differently and strengthen your painting practice.
The first year I only painted plein air a handful of times and this year I haven't been in the studio since May. It has been challenging and amazing and I can't wait to see how it translates back in the studio.
Some of my favorite painting experiences have been plein air trips with other artists.
Q: You will be participating in CFA's Open Studios event on October 3 and 4. What will visitors experience when they enter your studio, and what might surprise them about how you work?
A: Heidi Lorenz will be joining me at my house for Open Studios. Weather permitting we will be painting plein air throughout the day and guests can see our setup and materials.
They can also see how we interpret the same subject very differently. If there is interest guests can try the medium themselves as I have extra supplies.
“They can also see how we interpret the same subject very differently.”
Q: Why is it valuable for people to meet artists in their working environments and see the tools, experiments, unfinished pieces, and decisions behind the finished work?
A: I think sometimes being an artist is romanticized and it isn't evident how much time, effort, learning, and equipment goes into what we do.
Being a full-time artist is very rewarding but also takes a lot of hard work and discipline.
“Being a full-time artist is very rewarding but also takes a lot of hard work and discipline.”
Q: What advice would you offer someone who wants to develop a more consistent creative practice—or who is considering making a larger commitment to their art?
A: Don't wait for the perfect timing, it will never come. Just start doing something every day, even if it's just a sketch. Build the habit and then expand upon it.
“Don't wait for the perfect timing, it will never come. Just start doing something every day, even if it's just a sketch.”
Meet Sara Rae During Open Studios
Center for the Arts Open Studios 2026
Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Free and open to the public
Sara Rae will welcome visitors to her home in Sutton, where she will be joined by fellow artist Heidi Lorenz. Weather permitting, the artists will paint plein air throughout the weekend, giving visitors an opportunity to see their materials and working process up close.
Visitors can also see how two artists interpret the same subject differently—and, if interested, may have an opportunity to try the medium themselves using Rae's extra supplies.
