For our latest interview, we're highlighting the work of Sara Duncan, who has participated in every Delaware Fun-A-Day event to date!
First things first: THE FIRST STATE. Have you always lived in Delaware?
I have lived in Delaware my entire life.
How long have you been making art?
When I was 6, my babysitter Betsy told me I drew the best leaves she had ever seen. I have been making art ever since.
What is your preferred medium? Any additional media you work with?
I enjoy trying my hands at any medium, and have many left to attempt. I love using natural materials like rocks and sticks. I like to paint on various surfaces including wood, walls, glass, and skin. Fine point Sharpies excite me, and I can still never resist a box of crayons.
What kind of themes do you like to pursue in your work?
The only theme I have tried to pursue with my pieces is the desire to touch or connect with something inside of those who see it.
You have a very heartfelt, exploratory style. What do you think influences your work?
That desire to connect or stimulate an emotion is a huge influence to me. My daughter is also a driving force in my creations in that she has taught me to look at things from a completely different perspective than I had before she came along. Nature inspires me on a daily basis, and I could sit in awe of fog for hours.
You've been in previous Delaware Fun-A-Day shows. How many have you been in thus far, what first interested you in the event, and what made you come back?
This will be my 4th year participating in the FAD show. I was first drawn to it by the sheer excitement of creating something every day. I was teaching preschool at the time, and had numerous scraps and bits of craft materials at my disposal. The following year I had gotten my daughter and I a rock tumbler, so each piece was created using rocks we tumbled, glued to things, painted, or made into jewelry. Last year I used Q-tips to stipple a painting each day.
What can we expect from you this year at F-A-D?
This year my project involves a pine needle and stick picture series titled Still Pining.
Any advice for first year participants?
My advice to first year participants is to enjoy the experience of sharing yourself. There are no critics. No judgment. Only love and beautiful things.
Are there any other projects or events that you are working on this year?
My projects this year include painting on skin at various events such as the Peoples Festival, The Veg Fest, The Delaware Burger Battle, birthday and holiday parties. I am also working on a piece called Twirly Twigs (which is just that), and I am currently stenciling our bathroom at work.
Also, I was just given an Ollo Clip for my birthday, so I will be crawling around hunting for tiny things to photograph.
Do you have a website or any other online outlet where the readers could check out more of your work?
I do not have a website, but I do have a facebook business page for face and bodypainting called Starbelly Skin Art.