The Contemporary Folk Artist: Sarah Rakes

Vibrant colors, homages to nature, and the essence of rural settings. That is only one of the many ways Sarah Rakes’ striking paintings can be described. As a self-taught artist, Rakes’ first brush with art was at the tender age of nine when a traveling museum was sent to underprivileged areas of Arkansas by the Rockefeller Foundation. The experience of seeing the art displayed in that museum sparked a passion in her that spread like wildfire. It ignited the artistic vision of Sarah Rakes. Her art then filled her bedroom walls and the bottoms of drawers. Art became more than just a creative outlet for her. It was an escape from her difficult home life and her struggle to learn in school, shaping her journey profoundly.

In 1976, she set out for New York, where she had heard many artists lived with the old car she bought after doing several odd jobs. However, the car broke down in North Georgia, and she took a job there as a waitress. The Universe plays funny games, after all. One week later, she met her future husband, Mike. A year later, they were married, and began their life together of managing a home and rearing three children. She then turned her attention toward gardening and grew much of the food her family consumed. In 1986, with her family’s support, Rakes finally returned to dedicating her days and many nights to making art. Despite having no formal training or art background, Rake’s paintings reflected the true capabilities of a self-taught artist — unconventional approach and inventive styles. Rakes’ artistic pursuit soon became a means of income when her paintings began to be exhibited in regional galleries. It did not take long for her art to be sought after by collectors throughout the United Nations and even Europe. Rakes never turned back after this.