“I’m a reader, a writer, and a teacher, and my life is full of paper and words, which have now become my materials.”
— Sarah Z Short, 2026
1) LOCATION?
I’m from Rhode Island, on the East Coast of the United States. I live in the woods, and the ocean is a 20-minute drive away. 🇺🇸
2) HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH COLLAGE?
Years ago, I took a collage class because I was bookbinding and paper making, and collage was a natural extension. I used collage a lot in my classroom (I was an English teacher), but it wasn’t part of my creative practice until 2020, when I started taking online collage classes and found I could use old books and papers as my materials.
3) WHY IS COLLAGE AN APPEALING MEDIUM?
I’m a reader, a writer, and a teacher, and my life is full of paper and words, which have now become my materials. I’ve tried many different mediums, but the combination of searching for papers, adding marks and color through letterpress printing, and creating an abstract composition is endlessly fascinating. It’s tactile, calming, and creative. When I started, my son was young, and I could quickly create a collage in my spare moments with limited materials, working at a small desk in my living room. Even now, on busy days when I can’t get to the studio, I still find the same peace in a few minutes with a glue stick and paper scraps in my sketchbook.
4) WHO ARE THE BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
For composition, Richard Diebenkorn, especially the Ocean Park series. Robert Rauschenberg and Kurt Schwitters for how they used materials. I admire Sonia Delaunay for her business and creative skills. For letterpress printing, Jack Stauffacher.
5) ANALOG VS DIGITAL, WHAT ARE THE PROS & CONS OF EACH?
I’ve never tried digital collage, but since I love the materials of analog collage, I don’t think I’d enjoy it.
6) WHAT ARE THREE TIPS FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN COLLAGE?
First, start with a good-quality adhesive and learn how to adhere paper without wrinkles or bubbles; it will save you a lot of frustration. Look at the work of all kinds of artists, not just those who work with collage to learn about structure, line, and composition. Learning composition makes the difference between simply gluing papers down at random and creating a work of art.
7) HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR DOWNTIME?
Reading, of course, but also spending time on the water and in the woods.
8) WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ART PRACTICE HEADING?
I want to create much larger works, which is a challenge because I need to source so many old papers for a single piece.
His Girl, Arlene, 2026, Found paper, acrylic paint and ink, 9 × 12 x 1.5 in
9) WHICH THREE ARTISTS SHOULD WE CHECK OUT?
10) WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LOVING RIGHT NOW?
In the studio, I’m moving between the Hamilton soundtrack and early 2000s indie music. When the lyrics become too distracting, I’ll listen to Bad Bunny or French jazz.
11) ANY UP-AND-COMING EXHIBITIONS OR PROJECTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
I’m part of a group exhibit at Rart Gallery in Evian-les-Bains, France, through December. I’m finishing a new collection to release on my website and starting pieces for a solo show in March of next year.
See more 👀
Instagram: @sarah_z_short
Web: sarahzshort.com
Down Payment, 2026, Found paper and acrylic paint, 9 x 12 x 1.5 in