First impressions: AM Sartor
This artist is keen to infuse her work with a sense of immediacy AM Sartor
This artist is continuingly aiming to infuse her work with a sense of immediacy.
What was your first paid commission? Does it stand as a representation of your talent?
It was a long time ago. I can’t remember the first time someone paid me to draw something, but the first major job I had was a chapter book for an educational publisher. It was about Susan B Anthony, so besides having a feminist aspect, it wasn’t very representational of my current repertoire.
What’s the last piece you finished, and how do the two differ?
My last piece was The Nightmare for Month of Fear. The prompt given was ‘paralysed’, but the idea is my own. My process has gone through a number of changes over the years, mostly to try to create a sense of immediacy to the final product. I tend to overwork things, overcoming that and creating an image with intention and coincidence takes discipline.
You’re a child, you see a painting that changes everything. Where are you and what are you looking at?
I was more influenced by books than by individual paintings. A book that I was kind of obsessed with was My Mama Says There Aren’t Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, Or Things by Judith Viorst and Kay Chorao. I still think the illustrations are creepy. Two other favourites were The Canterville Ghost illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger, and Castles illustrated by Alan Lee. I think I liked that feeling of melancholy that comes along with ghost stories. I find that if I’m too happy I don’t make interesting art.
Does one person stand out as being helpful during your early years?
Is it weird if I say my mom? My mom is an artist, and her creativity and energy are forces to be reckoned with. She also made sure I changed my clothes occasionally, and that I didn’t live off junk food.
Is making a living as an artist all you thought it would be?
I’m a bit of a pessimist, so yes? That is to say, this isn’t the career choice of those looking for fame or riches. Most of my time is spent alone, drawing or painting. I’m fortunate enough to have a husband that can cover expenses, otherwise making ends meet would be difficult. My wrist and my eyesight are showing signs of wear. And yet I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What advice would you give to your younger self to aid you on the way?
Experiment more! Unique style comes from experience, and stubbornly refusing to change your style, or forcing a change when it doesn’t feel right, will only hinder progress. Also, when abrasive comments are made about your work, don’t take them too seriously. Constructive criticism should be useful, not paralysing
What character or scene that you’ve painted do you most identify with?
I would have to say Endless Edifice, because I’m continually confused and frustrated with myself. I also get harassed by crows.
Do you have an art tool that you can’t live without?
I like to pick up new tools and see what mark they make. So defining one as being The Thing That Makes Art Possible would be difficult. If I were on a desert island and I was only allowed one art implement, it would be some kind of brush pen so I could draw on myself. It’s a habit that I never grew out of.
What does the future hold for you?
Accessing and building an audience outside the traditional gateways of publishers and agents is actually possible, and it’s inspiring to see so many illustrators succeed at marketing their own products. I’m working on putting together a small run of art books that’ll be completed sometime in 2018, and if that’s successful I’ll continue to produce and distribute my own books.
AM Sartor has worked in video game development, children’s/YA books and a range of commercial illustration projects. See her art at www.amsartor.com.
When abrasive comments are made about your work, don’t take them too seriously