Capturing Spirit and Soul in Pastel – Meet Sally Clark, Wickenburg’s Wintering Featured Artist
Each winter, Wickenburg welcomes creatives who find inspiration in our desert light and community – and Sally Clark is one of them. A pastel artist from Randle, Washington, Sally winters here in Wickenburg and is currently a Featured Artist at Wickenburg Art Center & Gallery.
New website launch – Sally Clark Fine Art
We’re excited to share that Sally’s new website is now live, making it easy to explore her galleries, view recent work, and inquire about commissions online. She’ll also be adding new pieces regularly, so check back often to see her latest work.
Visit: https://sallyclarkfineart.com/
A $6 class that changed everything
Sally’s path to pastel didn’t begin with instant confidence – it started with frustration. As a kid, she could see what she wanted to draw, but couldn’t get it onto paper the way she imagined. That disconnect stayed with her for years, until a friend encouraged her to take a simple $6 drawing class at the Morton Senior Center. In that approachable, low-pressure setting, the fundamentals finally clicked – shape, value, shading – and she realized she could create work that looked real and recognizable.
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.
Why pastel – and why it fits her subjects
Sally is drawn to dramatic imagery – the kind of faces (human or animal) that carry a story in their eyes. Pastels give her the ability to push contrast, heighten color, and build depth through layered pigment – perfect for capturing fur you can almost feel, skin tones that glow, and mood-forward backgrounds that support the subject without overpowering it.
Her goal is always the same: to capture spirit and soul, not just a snapshot.
Commissions, when the photo has “the spark”
Sally also accepts select commissions, especially when the reference photo has strong lighting, a clear expression, and that hard-to-define connection that makes a subject feel alive. If a photo has that spark, she loves the challenge of translating it into a finished pastel that feels both realistic and emotionally honest.
Now featured at Wickenburg Art Center & Gallery
This season, Sally is also a Featured Artist at Wickenburg Art Center & Gallery, where local art lovers and visitors can discover her work alongside other talented regional artists.
A creative family connection – Brandy Clark
Fun local tie-in – Sally is also the mother of Brandy Clark, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and GRAMMY and CMA Award-winner.
Explore Brandy’s music and latest projects here: https://www.brandyclarkmusic.com/
Interested in Your Own Website?
If you’re an artist, maker, or business in the Wickenburg area and you’ve been thinking about a website – or you’ve outgrown the one you have – now is a great time to explore your options.
Start by checking out Sally’s new site to see how a clean, modern layout can showcase artwork, tell an artist’s story, and make it easy for people to connect:
https://sallyclarkfineart.com/
You can also connect with the Wickenburg Art Center & Gallery to learn more about how local artists are expanding their presence online and presenting their work to a wider audience.
To discuss a custom website for your own art or business, reach out to BLT Marketing & Design. We create websites tailored to your work, your budget, and your long-term goals.
Sally’s new website is more than a portfolio – it’s a strong example of how artists can present their work professionally, share their journey, and build a digital presence that supports future growth.
