VCA2025

Sarah Greenwood

Advanced Diploma
2025

Hi, I’m Sarah Greenwood, a mixed media artist, painter, and art instructor based in Ontario, Canada. My creative practice blends abstract expression and emotional storytelling, often drawing on personal memories and experiences. I work with a wide range of materials including acrylics, markers, and ultraviolet-reactive paints, combining surface design, geometric abstraction, and intricate patterning to create vibrant, meaningful pieces. I’m always exploring new techniques and pushing the boundaries of what art can be. Teaching is also a core part of my practice, I’m passionate about helping others tap into their creativity in ways that feel fun, authentic, and fulfilling. I believe art should be both expressive and accessible, and I love creating environments where people can freely explore. You can follow my artistic journey, behind-the-scenes process, and new work on Instagram and TikTok @sarah.greenwood.art.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/sarahgreenwoodartist/about-me
Instagram: @sarah.greenwood.art
Faceboook: @SarahGreenwoodArt

Abstract Fluorescents

Abstract Fluorescents

by Sarah Greenwood

This painting was created using acrylic paints and mediums, using selective fluorescent colours to achieve a second appearance when the painting is light by ultraviolet black light. Some of the textures in the geometric shapes were achieved by mixing the acrylic paint with mediums like glass beads, crackling paste, molding paste and bubble wrap.

Acrylic: paint, mediums, and markers.

30 by 30 inch stretched canvas

Amanda's Baby Shower

Amanda's Baby Shower

by Sarah Greenwood

Amanda's Baby Shower is based on a photo reference of my nephew, sister-in-law, and her mother opening presents at the baby shower for my niece Isabella. I created this in October of 2023 as a Christmas present for my sister-in-law, and this drawing has inspired me to continue drawing children.

Alcohol markers, ink & gel pens

9 by 12 inch pen paper

Halloween 2023

Halloween 2023

by Sarah Greenwood

Halloween 2023 is a mainly alcohol marker drawing of a group of my friends and me on Halloween in 2023. I highly enjoyed the time-consuming and detail-oriented features of this drawing, especially the fishnets and the cape the figure in the foreground is wearing.

Alchol Markers, ink & gel pens

9 by 12 inch pen paper

Hidden worlds

Hidden worlds

by Sarah Greenwood

This is an abstract world inspired by images from under a microscope. The ground that is breaking apart in the foreground is based off the microscopic cracks in steel, the yellow sunlike spheres are inspired by pollen, while the green patterned lines are derived from plant cells. I achieved the reflective star-like texture by experimenting with opal alcohol ink and surface texture on the yellow “suns” by drawing with watercolour pencils that had been left to soak in water.

Watercolour, pencil crayon, alcohol ink, and more

12 by 18 inch watercolour paper

Icelandic Coastline in 2017

Icelandic Coastline in 2017

by Sarah Greenwood

This painting is based on a photo I took during a 2017 trip to Iceland with my grandparents—a place that left a deep impression on me with its dramatic, otherworldly landscapes. I was especially captivated by the intricate textures in the rocks and the soft, shifting details in the clouds. I aimed to capture the raw beauty and quiet intensity of that coastline while reflecting on the memory of the moment it was taken. Though this piece leans more into realism than my usual abstract and experimental work, it shares my ongoing fascination with natural forms, atmosphere, and emotional connection to place.

20 by 30 inch stretched canvas

Isabella and Wes

Isabella and Wes

by Sarah Greenwood

This drawing captures my brother-in-law Wes holding my seven-month-old niece, Isabela. Created as a birthday gift for my sister-in-law, it emphasizes contrast through light, shadow, and a selective yellow hue to make Isabela the focal point. The intricate tattoos on Wes’s arms posed a rewarding challenge, adding depth and texture. I achieved the highlights on her hair, nose, and toes with a white gel pen to enhance realism. This piece reflects both the warmth of their bond and my dedication to detail.

Alcohol markers, ink and gel pens.

9 by 12 inch pen paper

Jellyfish

Jellyfish

by Sarah Greenwood

This linoleum print is of a photo-based reference I took on my birthday in June of 2024 at Ripley's aquarium. I had such an amazing time that I wanted a piece of artwork to remember the day by. I especially enjoyed caving the fine details and creating patterns in the tentacles of the jellyfish.

Linoleum block printing & intaglio water based ink

11 by 14 inch 100% cotton rag paper

Luke at Sunrise

Luke at Sunrise

by Sarah Greenwood

Luke at Sunrize, my first copper plate etching based on a photo reference from May 2019 of my friend Luke in the distance on a train track bridge in my hometown, this was our favourite place to talk. Luke unfortunately passed away on his 16th birthday in October of 2019, so I created this etching of one of my favourite photos to memorialize Luke in December 2023. I realized my love for etching with the challenging perspective and details in the foreground.

Copper plate etching and intaglio water based ink

11 by 14 inch 100% cotton rag paper

Mountain Eclipse

Mountain Eclipse

by Sarah Greenwood

Mountain Eclipse, a series of linoleum prints from October 2023. The detailed, fine line patterning in the mountains made me fall in love with the carving process of linoleum block printing. I find them inspiring and want to create more artworks utilizing this texture.

Linoleum block printing & intaglio water based ink

11 by 14 inch 100% cotton rag paper

Mutual Relationships

Mutual Relationships

by Sarah Greenwood

Mutual Relationships is a copper plate etching that depicts a bee landing on a flower. The work symbolizes the evolutionary and mutualistic relationship between bees and flowers, serving as a metaphor for the meaningful connections I share with friends and family. The piece also draws on a personal sense of nostalgia my appreciation for flowers began in early childhood when I participated in horticultural competitions with my grandmother. Those formative experiences nurtured my creativity and continue to influence my art practice today.

Copper plate etching, and intaglio water based ink

11 by 14 inch 100% cotton rag paper

Phil's with Emily

Phil's with Emily

by Sarah Greenwood

“Phil’s with Emily” is a detailed photo drawing based on a reference image of my friend Emily and me during a fun girls’ night out, captured in a bathroom mirror. I really enjoyed focusing on the small details, like the lighting, reflections, and textures that brought the moment to life. It was especially rewarding to recreate the atmosphere of the original photo while adding my own artistic interpretation through careful, high-detail work.

Alcohol markers, ink & gel pens

9 by 12 inch pen paper

Puppet Painting

Puppet Painting

by Sarah Greenwood

This bright, bold painting full of contrast was completed in December of 2022. It combines a doll face, two sets of bunny ears, and three rubber ducks along with abstract details. I enjoyed experimenting with blending oil paints, and it’s slower dry in comparison to acrylics, sometimes using fast dry medium to speed up the process.

Water soluble oil paint, and fast dry medium

16 by 20 inch wooden panel

Winged Heart

Winged Heart

by Sarah Greenwood

Winged Heart is based on my Heart with Wings painting. I wanted to recreate an artwork I hold a deep fondness for using linoleum block printing, a process I have fallen in love with. Using the texture from the mountains in Mountain Eclipse I completed the background of this print.

Linoleum block printing & intaglio water based ink

11 by 14 inch 100% cotton rag paper