Artist Spotlight: Sarah Blake (Zso)

Sarah Blake—known online as simply Zso—is a freelance fine artist and illustrator living in New York City. She graduated from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2007 with a B.A. in Graphic Art and Postmodern Studies. Since then, Blake has established herself as “one of the most exciting female graphic designers and illustrators” in the world

All of Blake’s pieces begin as drawings. Utilizing everything from pencils and markers to pastels and watercolors, Blake combines various mediums to create the framework for her vibrant, fluid illustrations. From there, she scans her drawings and adds color and texture (along with other effects) in Adobe Photoshop. According to Blake, the files that contain her drawings are made up of hundreds of separate layers that she expertly joins to form a single, cohesive piece.

When asked to describe her work, Blake insists that she is a “freestyle” artist, having not received a traditional fine art education. What makes Blake’s work so powerful is her ability to embrace wild, messy textures and uneven, unfinished lines. This artistic “freedom” allows her to further explore the techniques that define her work without the pressures associated with perfectionism.

To see more of Blake’s work, visit her online portfolio.