BIOGRAPHY

Described as “engrossingly emotive” and “visually innovative,” artist Sara Sjol (b. Omaha, NE) takes her love of line and color and weaves them together in a vibrant and visual manner that carries through both her paper and mixed media works.

In her early years, Sjol’s creativity was mainly focused on graphic design and photography. It wasn’t until 2010, when she developed a chronic illness that her visual art began pouring out. Since then, Sjol has created an engaging series of works in which she expresses herself and the world around her.

Sjol’s work is held in collections across the country and has been featured on magazine covers and at Portland International Airport. She is represented by the Rental Sales Gallery at the Portland Art Museum.

“I have always looked at the world through my own lens. I was first intrigued with graphics — shapes, squares, patterns, and form- leading me to countless creative endeavors. My technique evolved organically. From pattern and line doodles in notebooks to some ink and watercolor experiments on a leftover screen printing paper to the paintings I am doing today.”

CV:

2024 – CONVERSATION PIECES - Solo Show
Hampton Inn and Suites | Portland, Ore.

2024 – Ulna Studios Community Art Show
Olympic Mills Bldg. | Portland, Ore.

2024 – SPRING MEMBER SHOW
Rental Sales Gallery at Portland Art Museum | Portland, Ore.

2023 – FALL MEMBER SHOW
Rental Sales Gallery at Portland Art Museum | Portland, Ore.

2023 – SPRING MEMBER SHOW
Rental Sales Gallery at Portland Art Museum | Portland, Ore.

2022 – PAM MEMBER EVENT
Rental Sales Gallery at Portland Art Museum | Portland, Ore.

2022 – FALL NEW ARTIST SHOW
Rental Sales Gallery at Portland Art Museum | Portland, Ore.

2022 – RENTAL SALES GALLERY ARTIST
Rental Sales Gallery at Portland Art Museum | Portland, Ore.

2021 – GROUP EXHIBIT
Group Show | Hampton Inn, Pearl March – August 2021 | Portland, Ore.

2019 – SHAPE AND FORM
Solo Show | Gallery 903 May 2019 | Portland, Ore.

2018 – GROUP EXHIBIT
Group Show | Hampton Inn, Pearl October – December 2018 | Portland, Ore.

2017 – A SENSE OF PLACE
Solo Show | Gallery 903 October 2017 | Portland, Ore.

2017 – PERSPECTIVES: WORKS BY FEMALE ARTISTS
Selected works | Gallery 903 July 2017 | Portland, Ore.

2016-17  – PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Year Long | Terminal D | Portland, Ore. 

2015 – ROCHE BOBOIS PORTLAND
 Year Long | Portland, Ore. 

2015 – COMMON THREADS
Solo Show | First Thursday April 2015 | Portland, Ore. 

2014 – ARTSLANDIA MAGAZINE LAUNCH
Artslandia Series and selected works | Gallery 903 August 2014 | Portland, Ore.

2014-15 – ARTSLANDIA MAGAZINE COVER ARTIST
Artslandia Cover and Selected works | August 2014 - 15 | Portland, Ore.

2013 – HRC PDX  GALA ART AUCTION
Lewis and Clark College June 2013 | Portland, Ore.

2013 – CASCADE AIDS PROJECT ART AUCTION
Memorial Stadium April 27th | Portland, Ore.

2012 – GALLERY 903 ARTIST
May 2012 – October 2020 (Gallery Closed) | Portland, Ore.

2012 – THE RECYCLED RAIN PROJECT
May 2012 – October 2020 | Portland, Ore.

2012 – PORTLAND LOVE SHOW
February 2012 | Portland, Ore.

2011 – PORTLAND LOVE SHOW
February 2012 | Portland, Ore.

2010 – FACING FEAR SHOW
February 2012 | Portland, Ore.

EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE

2012-2020 The Recycled Rain Project | Founder, Curator, Artist, Designer | @therecycledrainproject
2007 Pacific Northwest College of Art | Portland, Ore. | Continuing Education: Screen Print
2004-Present Something Clever Creative Services | makeitclever.com
2004 Pacific Northwest College of Art | Portland, Ore. | Continuing Education: Graphic Design
1998-2002 Minnesota State University at Moorhead | BS Communication Design