Artist in Focus - Sarah Von Dreele

Sarah Von Dreele has been the creative director of Onethread Design, Inc., a New York-based design consultancy, which she founded in 2003. Launching her eponymous brand of wallcoverings in 2019, Sarah's hand-painted aesthetic quickly gained traction in the interior design field, garnering attention from designers and publications internationally. What began as a simple creative exercise at the end of the day quickly evolved into a collection of surface designs, painted exclusively in gouache. Her latest works explore the integration of imperfection and repetition to create rich patterns. The abstracted floral and geometric forms are ethereal and calm, lending themselves to a variety of applications for the curated home. 

How would you describe your art? 

My work explores the integration of imperfection and repetition to create rich patterns. The abstracted floral and geometric forms are ethereal, textured, and calm.

What’s your favourite thing to paint?

Whether flowers, seashells, or sunsets, I typically begin by identifying and exploring the forms and patterns found in nature. What begins as a floral motif can quickly evolve into abstraction, retaining a pattern element or color reference to create something new. I find this really exciting to discover and respond to while working. 

What helps you focus?

I typically paint in the morning after school drop off, spin class, and a good coffee. I am ready to work and my head is clear. I always listen to music while painting as it helps me disappear into the page. If SoulCycle hosted a spin class on a Mykonos beach, that would describe my music playlist – completely opposite to the softness of my work! My New York City neighbors are likely tired of hearing Daft Punk, Calvin Harris and Sneaky Sound System.