Sara Hilda Richman Harris was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from the University of Chicago she moved to New York City to attend the Art Students League. In 1946 she married Raymond Harris, MD from Albany, New York. Raymond Harris’s family owned and operated Harry’s Department Store located on Pearl Street. Sara and Raymond moved to Albany in 1950 and raised their family in a house at 19 Parkwood Street. They were members of Temple Israel in Albany.

Backyard Play depicts Harris's children playing in the family's backyard with neighborhood friends. From left to right on the swings are neighbors Richard Luduena and Betty Ann Sleasman with Harris's daughter Anita Marie Harris. In the wading pool Harris painted her daughter Laura Jean Harris and son Jonathan Oren Harris.