Sally Clark – Randle, WA
About Me
Capturing Spirit and Soul in Pastel
Sally Clark is a pastel artist whose journey began unexpectedly in her early 30s, after a childhood of frustration with drawing that never seemed to match what she saw in her mind. For years, it felt like there was a gap between observation and execution – like the pencil simply couldn’t translate what her eyes understood. Art was always there in the background, but confidence wasn’t.
Everything shifted when a friend encouraged her to take a simple $6 drawing class at the Morton Senior Center. That small decision became a turning point. In a setting that felt approachable and pressure-free, Sally began learning fundamentals – shape, value, and shading – in a way that finally made sense. What started with basic exercises quickly grew into something more exciting: for the first time, she realized she could create images that were recognizable and believable. The moment she completed a portrait that actually looked like the person – and even managed to draw a convincing cube of butter – she knew something had changed.
With encouragement from her instructor and a growing confidence in her abilities, Sally leaned into portraiture and animal studies, following the subjects that naturally pulled her in. Along the way she discovered pastels, and the medium immediately felt like home. The richness of the pigment, the softness of the blending, and the ability to build depth through layered color gave her a way to express what she had been trying to capture all along – emotion, energy, and presence.
One of her earliest pieces – a striking leopard – cemented her dedication to pastel. It wasn’t just about getting the anatomy right; it was about capturing intensity, movement, and personality. That same focus still drives her work today. Sally is particularly drawn to dramatic imagery, whether it’s wild creatures, beloved pets, or expressive human faces. She looks for subjects with a story in their eyes, strong light and shadow, and the kind of detail that reveals character rather than just likeness.
While she occasionally works in acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil, pastels remain her medium of choice. They allow her to push contrast, heighten color, and create a sense of texture that feels alive – fur you can almost feel, skin tones that glow, and backgrounds that support the mood without overpowering the subject. Her goal is always the same: to capture spirit and soul, not just a snapshot.
Sally also accepts select commissions, especially when the reference photo captures her imagination. The best commission photos have clear lighting, strong expression, and a feeling of connection – whether it’s a treasured pet, a meaningful portrait, or an animal moment that feels unforgettable. If a photo has that spark, she loves the challenge of translating it into a finished pastel that feels both realistic and emotionally honest.
