When picturing The Alamite Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, one of the first things that comes to mind is the eye-catching artwork found throughout the space, from the lobby to the rooftop bar. Curated largely by Blair Plott, a member of The Alamite’s ownership group, the collection features works by many talented local artists and each piece holds a unique story. SoulGrown is excited to continue an exclusive series of interviews, deep dives, and more that tell each artist’s tale. This edition’s interview is with talented local artist Sarah Soule Webb. 

Sarah has always considered herself an artist but was encouraged to pursue other careers when she was younger. She studied nutrition at the University of Alabama, obtaining her Master’s degree while also becoming the first female pole vaulter at the university. Sarah began to paint on the weekends once she began working full-time as a registered dietitian, later switching to part-time work about 10 years later once she started having kids.

“I took a leap and went part-time to be able to paint part-time as well. I was mostly producing commissioned work—anything to make a buck and justify leaving a full-time job. House portraits, dog portraits, you wanted it painted, I would do it!” shared Sarah. “I’m 9 years into being a full-time artist and I still love my commissions. They got me here and now I’m in a position to pick what jobs I want to do and I have honed my artistic voice so people approach me for my style and vision.”

“I’ve learned to be a very good communicator on expectations, boundaries, pricing, etc., and refer to other artists when something isn’t in my wheelhouse. I’ve honed my style over the 15 years that it has been a career and now focus on my ‘ladies and gents’ series, my underwater portraits, and large-scale water paintings,” Sarah continued.

Originally she only planned to create The Gentleman for The Alamite, a classic, timeless portrait image with a modern style. “I imagine a man coming home to unwind after a long day of work—an enduring archetype to this day. He was intended for the bar area, however upon delivery, It was determined that he should be more prominent and embody the story of The Alamite—a fabulously interesting, cultured, and well-traveled family,” said Sarah.

“The owners called me and said ‘The good news is that we love it and he is going in the front lobby! The bad news is he needs a wife and we need it within two weeks!’ I was thrilled and up for the challenge. Now, especially during football season, I get late-night texts from friends of ours taking selfies with my art in The Alamite’s lounge. It makes me so happy!” 

The Gentleman is based on Sarah’s husband of 17 years, Andy Webb, and The Socialite is based on her sister-in-law and Tuscaloosa native, Anna Catherine Barton Soule. “All the men I paint end up looking like Andy so I thought I’d go straight to the source. We met at the University of Alabama 20 years ago so it was only natural.” she shared. 

While Sarah has created many portraits similar to The Gentleman and The Socialite, she is often best known as the water artist. “I create underwater portraits of children swimming. They are happy, silly, vibrant, and nostalgic, reminding one of dunking your head under a wave at the beach or doing a cannonball in your friend’s pool,” said Sarah. “I partner with professional underwater photographers all over the US. I grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and returned here with my husband and three children at the end of 2020. We were in Birmingham for 15 years and moved when COVID-19 made me miss my family and the water. Growing up on the coast—any coast—gets in your soul and won’t let you forget it.” Sarah also creates large-scale photo-realistic paintings of water that have been collected by hospitals in the Southeast, as well as hotels, restaurants, offices, and homes. 

After moving back to Pensacola, Sarah partnered with her childhood best friend, Amelie Simmons, who took on the prints and merchandising side of her business. “It has been so much fun to bring in someone with a fresh perspective. Using my art images, we’ve launched aprons, pillows, scarves, and tableware and have many more ideas coming down the pipes. We’ve gotten into wholesale as well, and are focusing on coastal cities all over the South. I’m honored Amelie partnered with me and am excited to see where we take it.” Sarah shared. 

View more of Sarah’s stunning work here.