Hello, my name is Sarah Shaw. I am a cartoonist, illustrator, and professor, who's always on the search for a good story. I make autobiographical, socio-political, and historical comics with a handmade, decorative flair. I also craft visual essays, comics poems, and illustrations that capture the everyday. My favorite subjects to draw are books, landscapes, and people reading books in landscapes.
Originally from Maine, I spent my twenties and early thirties teaching abroad in Korea, Colombia, and Nepal before returning to New England in 2020. Throughout those years, I studied four different languages, hiked on five continents, and dabbled in nearly every visual art form imaginable until I “discovered” comics. I still enjoy experimenting with an array of media and techniques, whether I’m painting in gouache, printing on the risograph, sewing, or storytelling. I believe that there is always something new to learn.
I currently teach full-time in the Illustration department at Maine College of Art & Design, and occasionally, I teach a Graphic Memoir course in the Continuing Studies Department at School of Visual Arts. My work has appeared in The Boston Globe, The Boston Art Review, Mabuhay Magazine, and Het Parool. Some clients include: The White House, School of Visual Arts, The Woodward School, Rotary International, Dirigo Law Group, and Pilgrim’s Inn. I am represented by Kara Rota at Thompson Literary Agency.
When I am not making art, I am usually running with my dog Coco or arguing with my partner Zach.
My comics can be purchased on Etsy or Radiator Comics, and I send handmade zines to subscribers bi-monthly through my Substack, “Found Objects.”
Follow my work on Instagram, subscribe to my Substack newsletter, and feel free to reach out to saraheshaw06@gmail.com .
Collections
The Boston Public Library, Columbia University Libraries, Countway Library of Medicine: Harvard Medical School, The Library of Congress, Ohio State University: The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Exhibitions
2025 Pencils and Inks, Portland Public Library, Portland, ME
2025 Miniatures, Mayo Street Arts, Portland, ME
2023 The Great State of Illustration in Maine, Ticonic Gallery + Studios, Waterville, ME
2020 Carnet de Voyage, New York Artists Equity Association. New York, New York (Virtual Exhibition)
2020 Cartagena Ilustrada. Cartagena, Colombia (Virtual Exhibition)
2020 And Then: MFA Visual Narrative Thesis Show. New York, New York (Virtual Exhibition)
2019 Digital Short Story: Small Bytes, Big Fiction. West Hall Gallery, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
2016 Solo Exhibition: Drawing and Teaching on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, Nancy Ross Project Space, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
2012 Paper at the Edge of Art, Jay Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
2009 The Teacher as Artist, Nancy Ross Project Space, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
2009 37”36’”7.68” N-127”03’29.63” E, Korea National University of Arts, Seoul, South Korea
Comics Expos and Art Book Fairs
2025 Luna Moth Zine Fest, Derry-Salem Elks, Salem, NH
2025 Comic Arts Maine Portland, Portland Public Library, Portland, ME (Moderated the panel, “Comics as Art Books.”)
2024 Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, Boston University, Boston, MA (Spoke on the panel, “Political Action Comics,” with four other cartoonists)
2024 Nonfiction Comics Festival, Burlington, Fletcher Free Library, VT
2024 New England Art Book Fair, Space Gallery, Portland, ME
2023 Nonfiction Comics Festival, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
2023 Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, Boston University, Boston, MA (Organized a table for Maine College of Art & Design)
2023 Small Press Expo, Bethesda, MD
2023 New England Art Book Fair, Space Gallery, Portland, ME
2022 Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, Boston University, Boston, MA (Awarded a MICE mini-grant for the comic “Finding Hope: Part I”)
2022 Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, Columbus, OH
2022 Small Press Expo, Bethesda, MD
2022 Toronto Comic Arts Festival, Toronto, Ontario
2022 MoCCA Arts Fest, New York, NY (Illustrated an advertisement for the School of Visual Arts in the brochure)
2021 Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (Awarded a MICE Mini-Grant for “The Repatriation Diaries,” as well as a partnership with Radiator Comics)
Teaching
2022 – Present Assistant Professor in Illustration, Drawing Minor Coordinator, Vice Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Maine College of Art & Design, Portland, ME
2021 – Present Visual Narrative Continuing Education Instructor, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY (Online courses - Graphic Memoir & Comics Journalism)
2021 – 2022 Middle & High School Art Teacher, The Woodward School, Quincy, MA
2021 Pre-College Digital Illustration Instructor, Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA
2016 – 2019 Middle & High School Art Teacher, Lincoln School, Kathmandu, Nepal
2013 – 2015 Teaching English for Livelihoods Teacher/Trainer, United States Peace Corps, La Boquilla, Colombia
2011 – 2013 English as a Foreign Language Teacher, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Seoul, South Korea
Education
2020 MFA Visual Narrative, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
2010 BFA Art and Design Education, Concentration in Painting, Minor in Art History, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
2009 Study Abroad: Fine Arts, The Korean National University of Arts, Seoul, South Korea