10 Questions with Peyton Sachs
Peyton Sachs is a new face in the art scene, emerging in the summer of 2022 with his first-ever painting. As an untrained artist, he used his childhood garage while his parents were at work to paint. Using leftover brushes that his mom saved from preschool and any scraps he could find, including tennis balls and paper plates, he fell in love with it.
He was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, spent a year in Los Angeles, California, and is currently residing in New York City. Living in each of these landmark cities, he has a grasp on the world of art and entertainment that only a few people have, which is why it was so easy for him to set down his marketing degree and pick up a paintbrush.
Peyton Sachs - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Inspired by one of his favorite childhood movies, Auguste Gusteau from Pixar's 2007 animated film Ratatouille said, "Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great." Seen through Sachsy's eyes, "Anyone can paint, but only the fearless can be great."
His approach to painting is raw, intuitive, and unrefined. Art, to him, isn't about technique or pedigree but about feeling, exploration, and connection, which is why he goes into each painting with no direction, just himself and a blank canvas.
His work is the product of an untrained mind, and perhaps that's why it feels so real. There are no boundaries, no expectations, just the raw impulse to create and share what can't always be put into words.
Input Your Identity, Acrylic, 36x48 in, 2023 © Peyton Sachs
INTERVIEW
Let's start from the basics. Can you tell us what inspired you to start painting in the summer of 2022?
A few months post-college graduation, I was lying in my childhood bedroom wondering what I was supposed to be doing as waves of boredom washed over me. The hours seemed to stretch endlessly, and I realized I needed something to shake off the monotony. That's when it hit me—why not be creative today? The thought energized me, and without overthinking, I got up, grabbed my keys, and headed to Michaels. The idea of picking out a fresh canvas and vibrant paints filled me with excitement. Walking through the aisles, surrounded by endless possibilities, I felt a spark of inspiration I had never felt before.
What motivated you to leave behind your marketing degree and pursue art full-time?
As I dipped my brush for the first time into the vibrant colors and let it glide across the canvas, I felt an unexplainable joy. Watching my visions come to life—each stroke building on the next—filled me with a sense of satisfaction I had never found in my desk job. There, everything felt repetitive, and I felt more detached from myself, but painting was different. It was alive, personal, and free. Creating something from nothing, straight from my imagination, gave me a connection to myself that no spreadsheet or email ever could. In those moments, I realized that true fulfillment comes from expressing who you are, not just doing what's expected.
Ad Sales, Acrylic, 24x30 in, 2024 © Peyton Sachs
Sun To Me, Acrylic, 18x24 in, 2024 © Peyton Sachs
How did using unconventional tools like tennis balls and paper plates shape your creative process?
As an untrained artist, I've learned to see the world differently—everything around me becomes a potential tool for creation. Using paper plates and tennis balls as tools for my first-ever painting opened up a whole new way to interact with the canvas. Instead of serving as palettes, the paper plates were folded or curved to create flexible edges that I dragged across the surface, smearing and blending colors in broad, sweeping strokes. Complementing this, the tennis balls provided a contrasting dynamic, as I used their textured surfaces to roll and dab the paint, creating softer blends and interesting patterns. These everyday objects brought spontaneity and playfulness to my art, reminding me that creativity isn't about expensive tools or formal training; it's about seeing endless possibilities in the ordinary.
What was it like painting in your childhood garage? How did that environment influence your work?
Painting in my childhood garage was like standing at the crossroads of my past and future. The cluttered space held echoes of who I used to be—old sports equipment, forgotten tools, and dusty memories stacked on every shelf. Yet, in the center of it all was my canvas: a blank, open space that represented everything I could become. As I painted during this uncertain time in my life, I saw the blank canvas urging me to dream forward. Each brushstroke felt like a step into the unknown, a chance to shape my future into something I had never imagined before. In that garage, surrounded by yesterday, I found the courage to create tomorrow.
The Chosen One, Acrylic, 24x30 in, 2024 © Peyton Sachs
You've lived in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City. How have these cities shaped your perspective as an artist?
Living in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York profoundly shaped my creativity and perspective on art, each city offering its unique energy and inspiration. In Las Vegas, the bold, neon-lit landscapes and larger-than-life atmosphere taught me to embrace the energetic and vivid expression in my work. Los Angeles introduced me to a balance of contrasts—the laid-back beauty of nature against the vibrant pulse of the entertainment industry—encouraging me to explore layers of storytelling in my art. Then there was New York, with its unapologetic rawness and cultural diversity, where every street felt like a canvas of human experience that I needed to put into my own work. Together, these cities exposed me to an array of styles, emotions, and perspectives, weaving their influence into a dynamic and ever-evolving artistic voice.
What does being an untrained artist mean to you, and how do you see it impacting your work?
I love being an untrained artist because it means I am free—free from the boundaries of traditional techniques, formal rules, and expectations. Without a rigid framework to follow, my creativity flows wherever it wants, allowing me to experiment fearlessly and embrace imperfections. There's no "right" or "wrong" way for me to express myself, and that freedom is what makes my art deeply personal and authentic. If I don't like how something looks, I grab a new color of paint and create something new until it looks good to my eye. Every brushstroke is an exploration, every piece a discovery, and I thrive in the limitless possibilities. Being untrained allows me to see everything around me as a tool, making my journey as an artist uniquely mine.
Prison Break, Acrylic, 30x48 in, 2024 © Peyton Sachs
What’s On Your Mind, Acrylic, 36x48 in, 2023 © Peyton Sachs
Your approach to painting is very intuitive. How do you know when a piece is finished?
For me, the mirror is a powerful tool for understanding my art. When I hold a painting in front of it, I see it in a new light—removed from the intimacy of creating it and reflected back as if someone else were viewing it for the first time. This perspective lets me genuinely assess whether the piece feels complete, needs more work, or should be redone entirely. In the mirror's reflection, every detail stands out differently: the balance of colors, the flow of the composition, and the emotion it conveys. It's almost like a conversation with the art itself, a moment of clarity where the painting reveals what it still needs or whispers that it's finally done. This simple act of reflection transforms my relationship with the canvas and sharpens my intuition as an artist.
Do you have any particular themes or emotions that you hope to convey through your art?
I consciously avoid diving into deep, real-world issues in my paintings because I want my art to offer something different—a sanctuary, an escape. The world is already heavy with challenges, and I see my work as a doorway to a brighter, more imaginative realm where the audience can dream of what could be rather than dwell on what is. I strive to create pieces that spark curiosity and wonder, leaving space for people to bring their own stories and interpretations. By steering clear of the weight of reality, my paintings become a reminder that sometimes it's okay to simply get lost in the beauty of possibility.
Show Me The Money, Acrylic, 36x48 in, 2023 © Peyton Sachs
What has been the biggest challenge you've faced since entering the art world, and how have you overcome it?
Painting and creating art always felt like the natural part of my journey—it was where I could lose myself in the process, letting my imagination flow freely onto the canvas. But breaking into the business side of the art world has been a whole new challenge. Navigating galleries, building a network, and figuring out how to market myself as an artist felt like an entirely different skill set. The business world demanded strategy, self-promotion, and the ability to connect with the right people, all of which were foreign to me at first. It's been a steep learning curve, but each step has taught me that art is not just about creating; it's about finding a way to share your vision with the world.
Lastly, what are your plans for the future? How do you see your work evolving in the next few years, and what do you wish to achieve?
I feel bound to success, knowing deep down that I won't be satisfied by simply letting the art world pass me by. The thought of standing on the sidelines while others reshape the scene pushes me to take bold steps of my own. I'm not just creating art; I'm trying to revolutionize the New York art scene by introducing new, innovative ways to throw events and gallery openings. I want to break away from the traditional, stuffy conventions and create immersive, dynamic experiences that engage both artists and audiences in fresh, exciting ways. For me, success isn't just about personal achievements—it's about leaving a mark on the world, transforming how people interact with art, and challenging the norms that have held the art world back for too long.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
