Sarah Macarthur-King
Army, Artist
Sarah grew up in a tiny coastal village in North Wales, UK. Her dad had been in the merchant navy and served in the British military reserve. She happily admits to growing up a tomboy, always outside and physically active. She loved nothing better than making mud pies.
Noting this immense love of adventure, Sarah’s father recommended that she think about joining the Naval Cadets in their town. However, Sarah was drawn instead to the Army Cadets and joined when she was just twelve years old. From that time on, she never wanted to do anything else. It was a natural progression for her to enlist.
Throughout her military career, Sarah felt balanced, as she studied and achieved a Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours while using her creativity to approach problem solving.
She became a petroleum specialist and worked with military personnel from all parts of the world. In this role, Sarah met her Australian husband, emigrated with him and transferred to the Australian army. They raised their two children, Jack and Lucy, and Sarah remained in the military until 2019. During that time, she was deployed to Afghanistan, Cyprus, East Timor and Kuwait - all of which she enjoyed. She was medically retired with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2019 at the rank of Major, after 23 years’ service.
"We had the best and hardest of times and, in the end, my service and the consequences broke us. I’ll always remember the good times we had,” says Sarah, when talking of her marriage.
After leaving the army Sarah discovered the time to explore who she was under the mask that she had been wearing for much of her life. Her artistic talent emerged.
“I was always trying to be who I wasn’t - pretending to be someone else, to fit in.
“Art comes naturally. I go with the flow. Sometimes, I’ll even be inspired by a view, simply coming home from the shops. I’m very visual. I always take my watercolour pencils to the coast. I love my artwork. I now attract people who like me for myself.”
Sarah tires easily, both physically and mentally, because of chronic fatigue and pain.
“Some days getting out of bed is an achievement in itself. These times are often spent simply lying with my dog on the couch.”
But her creative self is ever active and to the fore. An idea is allowed to simmer gently in her mind during these quiet times, until it’s ready to take shape.
When overwhelmed with emotion, particularly with military memories, Sarah writes poetry and she’s currently illustrating her book of poetry with sketches.
“That’s how I get these feelings out.”
All aspects of Sarah’s life are tinged with her creative self. She works closely with another veteran artist and their interaction enhances the work of both. She recalls being “body shamed” for most of her life.
“I now have the freedom to live in, and love, my body.”
Sarah works as a life model and the two artists have set up an online company producing tasteful, and intensely emotional, nude photographs to use as reference for drawing, painting, sculpting and other artworks.
“Being on both sides of the canvas is a fun and fascinating experience every time and I adore seeing everyone's creations.”
As Sarah evolves and grows, she strives to continue to visually express her emotions. She’s drawn to fresh ideas as different skills and techniques are gained, and now feels empowered in her body as she works towards being fit, healthy and pain free.
“And, for the record, I really like where I have ended up in life. There are shitty bits and great bits. It’s all part of the ride. I’m grateful to be alive, to be on the roller coaster.”
