A checking register, purple ink, a new home


Sarah Z Short

Driftway Studio

Hello Reader,

Last time, I shared the story of Doris' notebooks and how those papers have continued to become part of my art.

Very few of my pieces are focused on a single source, like the one I'm sharing here. Down Payment is composed of many papers and, therefore, many stories.

I imagined a woman slowly adding funds to her account as she saved for something important, like a down payment for a new home.

Once the collage leaves my studio, it becomes part of your story.

Warmly,

Sarah

James Trail Driftway, West Kingston, RI 02892
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Sarah Z Short

I'm an abstract artist using vintage paper and letterpress printing for contemporary collage art. I teach online and in-person collage workshops.

Read more from Sarah Z Short

Sarah Z Short Driftway Studio New Work For Artists Blog 2026 Workshops Hi Reader, Last week, I had a high school student, an artist, spend the day in my studio. I worked through all the lessons I have planned for my next in-person workshop, a mixed media class with many different activities. By the end of the day, through observation and conversation, I learned so much. My lesson plans are filled with sticky notes about modifications; I have a shopping list of supplies I didn't know I was low...

Sarah Z Short Driftway Studio New Work Portfolio Hello Reader, Every year since I was a child, I've gone to my favorite library book sale in July. Now, as an artist, I've developed a reliable ritual: I ignore the tables of contemporary titles and walk straight to the unpacked cardboard boxes stacked below the folding tables. These are the books the volunteers don't bother to unpack—the ones with spine damage, faded covers, and loose pages, which means they're perfect for me. A few weeks ago,...

Sarah Z Short Driftway Studio New Work For Artists Blog 2026 Workshops Hi Reader, My son had a new pack of markers, so I convinced him to sit outside and draw with me. A few days before, I had started a mark-making sketchbook, and this was my chance to use it. All went as planned for about a minute, then devolved into us passing my sketchbook back and forth, drawing progressively wilder scenes. It's summer, so I'll take any moment of creativity I can find. This had me thinking about all the...