Sarah Barone Schwartz is a Boston-based artist known for her ability to transform spaces with art that balances precision and organic beauty. Her journey began in engineering, where she honed her problem-solving skills and love for technical drawing. But it was in textile design that she discovered her passion for creating patterns and textures that elevate everyday spaces.
After studying textile design in Berkeley, California, Sarah co-founded Sarah + Ruby Design Studio, celebrated for its hand-painted wallpaper. Using a modern take on the centuries-old paste-paper technique, Sarah developed designs that combine old-world craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Her wallpapers have been featured in showcase houses, international showrooms, and publications like “Interior Design” and “The Textile Eye”. They now adorn walls worldwide.
In 2021, Sarah expanded her creative practice to include more fine art. Working with natural materials like straw, her art blends geometric compositions with the luminous, tactile qualities of organic surfaces. Each piece reflects her signature balance of structure and texture.
Sarah’s engineering background informs her precise approach to design, while her deep appreciation for artisanship brings warmth and balance to her work. Her art is often described as mesmerizing and meditative, with a shimmering quality that captures light and transforms its surroundings.
Based in Brookline with a studio in Boston, Sarah collaborates with interior designers, architects, and homeowners to create art that enhances intentional, elegant spaces.
Statement
I work with straw, a natural fiber rarely seen in contemporary art. I’ve been drawn to it since the moment I first saw its surface catch the light. Its silica coating reflects light in a way that feels both opulent and raw—a fascinating paradox that continues to inspire my work.
Transforming straw into art feels almost alchemical. I split and flatten its hollow tubes into smooth, ribbon-like strips, turning something humble into something unexpectedly refined. After selecting or dyeing the straw to build my palette, I meticulously collage each piece onto wood panels. The process is slow, requiring precision, attention, and care. Yet the medium resists perfection while simultaneously demanding respect. It is organic and richly textured, yet luminously smooth, holding a quiet complexity that shapes the work as much as I do.
My compositions are rooted in the language of traditional craft—like Zellige tilework, weaving, and Kumiko—where structure and rhythm guide the eye. In my most recent series, I draw from the stepped patterns of Bargello needlework, using color and form to explore how movement can exist within stillness.
Through this work, I hope to reimagine what this humble material can become and offer a moment of calm, contemplation, and quiet clarity.