Sara McGovern is a fifth year senior majoring in Printmaking. Fabric design is just one of her specialties. Sarah takes a humble approach towards her art, making it for herself and not for recognition. Plymouth State College has helped harbor her artistic instincts, and Sarah has already lined up a job in the industry after graduation.
Clock: What is the most important thing you do artistically, and why is it so important?
Sara McGovern: Artistically I’m very involved in my printmaking. I’m doing etching with fabric and paper collage. That’s what I’m doing for my thesis right now, so obviously I’m very involved in that.
Clock: What are some other things you do, and how do you get interested?
SM: I do a lot of sewing. I make a lot of clothing. I get into it because I’ve been into it for as long as I can remember. I’ve probably been sewing since I was six. Everybody in my family is pretty confident in that aspect.
Clock: Would you consider yourself an artist? Why?
SM: I love making art and seeing what people think of it, but at the same time I don’t think that I’m an artist that needs attention all the time. I don’t make art to be famous in a gallery or anything like that. It is a good feeling though when people see your work and they enjoy it, yet its more just for myself.
Clock: If you could make any dream come true involving your work what would it be?
SM: It would be cool to have my work in a gallery some day, but that’s not one of my major goals in life. Just to keep making art as I am now, and to be able to keep doing it year after year I’d be happy with myself.
Clock: Getting financial benefits from your artwork isn’t an issue with you?
SM: Not really. It’d be a great bonus, but I know realistically it’s a really hard to make money off your work.
Clock: Where did you see yourself artistically ten years from now?
SM: Hopefully I will go from where I am now at the rate I’ve been going. To be able to make art the way I am and to be able to do it in my own house, at my own pace. I have a job lined up after graduation working for a design department with a catalogue company. Home design: blankets, pillows, sheets, drapes, stuff like that. Hopefully from that job and everything else I would be much more experienced artistically.
Clock: Is there anyone who inspires you? What about their work generates your interest?
SM: It sounds cheesy but my mom really inspires me because she’s a really good artist. She’s a doll maker, designing her own patterns and doing everything from her heart. I’m just amazed with how far she’s come with what she’s done.
Clock: So it’s a business?
SM: Yes, Rebecca and Company Doll Patterns. She runs it out of our house, the number is 603-838-8908 if anyone would like some work done. She’s amazing.
Clock: Is there anyone you consider a huge support? How?
SM: Pretty much most of my family is very supportive of me. They always wanna know what I’m doing, and they always wanna go to the shows I’m showing. It’s a relief to know they’re there to enjoy what I do.
Clock: How has Plymouth State College helped you?
SM: Plymouth State has helped me a lot. I went to Colby Sawyer College for a year and then I transferred here, and the art department here is amazing. I’ve had so much help from Terry Downs the printmaking professor. He’s been a really strong part of my printmaking career here. I never took printmaking before I got here, and now it’s my major and I’m completely engulfed in it. All round I really like it here, but after five years I’m ready to go now.
Clock: Finally, is there anything coming up soon that you’re involved in?
SM: I’ll be involved in the BFA Thesis Show, which is April 23. The studio show is four to six, then the graphics show is five to seven. The Art Show takes place in Karl Drerup Gallery, and the Graphics Design is in Silver. I also have a piece in the Boston Printmaker’s Show at Boston University.