There are some really fascinating people who live in Jersey City that come from all over the world. As some of you may know I was born and raised in Canada and when Sarah Madsen an artist/real estate agent reached out and told me her story I had to meet her.
Hope you enjoy getting to know her! Press play or read the transcript below.
What’s your name?
Sara Madsen.
What do you do?
I am an artist and real estate agent. During the day, I do real estate. At night, I’m a painter.
Awesome. Earlier, you mentioned you’re from Canada.
Yes, I’m originally from Calgary, Alberta in Canada! I was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. If you blink, you miss the town.
So what brought you to Jersey City?
My parents moved to Cranford when I was 16, so I didn’t have much of a choice. After going through real estate, I ended up right here in Jersey City. That’s where the hotspot is for real estate, and also for creative energies. It’s so dramatic in this spot.
Tell me a little bit about your art.
I am a very minimalistic, contemporary artist. It’s all black-and-white work that I do. It’s all based on a feeling, not of something. That’s how I create, it’s how I do things. It’s like I have such a serious job on one side, and the other side is just letting loose and being creative.
I don’t typically like to use paintbrushes. I’ll use straws, leaves, spoons, or different things to create texture and kind of capture that feeling. However I have to do it, I do it. I’ll grab a sponge, I’ll grab a mirror and cut into it… That’s kind of how I do my paintings.
What inspires you?
It’s all on feelings. I’ll go for months and months without painting anything, and then I’ll suddenly produce 10-15 pieces in a row at 3AM.
I picture you getting into these manic moments where you’re just in a room and go nuts on your canvas.
Oh, yeah! It’s like you’re so polished, and then you just let loose. I have a painting here from one of my darkest days. I dislike this one the most and people love it, but there was so much anger in the piece. It was all to do with the old job situation I was in and just setting myself free.
With my paintings, it’s more to do with a feeling. If I’m on the subway or if I lose somebody in my life, it’s painting my emotions, not painting something.
Very cool! Where do you showcase your work?
Mixing in with my real estate, I do pop-up art show open houses. I do a lot of staging. It incorporates real estate with my artwork. That’s mostly what I do, and then clients find out and it opens up more doors.
Your art’s very modern and goes with anything.
Right!
How long have you been painting?
Probably since I was a child! I failed every art class because my art didn’t show your traditional way of doing things, but it’s always how I expressed myself.
Do you have a favorite Jersey City hangout spot?
I love Porta, and Taqueria is my spot! Park & Sixth has the best Brussels sprouts you’ll ever taste.
Awesome! Where can people find you?
I have an Instagram, and I just opened an Etsy store online.
