Sarah Mahan

Norwich, NY

Sarah Mahan is a first year MFA student in Illustration at Western Connecticut State University.  She graduated from the State University of New York at Oswego in Spring 2006 with a BS in Zoology and a BA in Art Studio.  Throughout her time in undergraduate school, Sarah worked on an on-going primate study that compared the hand anatomy, hand usage, and the diets of various primate species.  Since she created illustrations of the primates and their hands to support her research, Miss Mahan decided to continue with the project as a graduate student.  She is currently working on a children's book on the main primate groups and how they use their hands, featuring illustrative paintings and renderings.  Sarah works primarily with oil paints and graphite, and the subject matter she most enjoys to render is portraiture of animals and humans, particularly their faces displaying strong highlights and shadows.  This is the work she hopes to continue to do more of upon graduating with an MFA in spring 2008.