Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Melendez

Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

After my son was born in early 2022, I decided to become a full time stay at home mother. I always enjoyed art as a hobby, and I have always been interested in having my own business, so I decided now was a perfect time to start. As a new mom, I also wanted to have something ‘for me’ and this business has been a great way to give myself not only a creative outlet, but some additional income for my family.

Originally, I started with just a few illustrations that really followed a more gothic theme. While that was fun at first, I found I did miss drawing other subjects and I also discovered surface pattern design at the same time. I switched exclusively to pattern design for a while, and now I have just started to add illustrations back into my portfolio.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Absolutely not! Branding my business, re-branding my business (twice!), learning about the business side of the art world, licensing, computer programs, social media….should I go on? Like any job, there will be parts of it you love and parts of it you don’t. I would rather draw all day, but I know I need to do the other little businessy parts too. Things come up that need to be addressed immediately, and its just part of life.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I focus exclusively on surface pattern design and illustrations. I use very vibrant colors mostly and I tend to draw a lot of food, flowers, and other abstract/geometric patterns. The illustrations were added more as a way to expand my audience and I try to create images that will coordinate with the patterns I create.

The majority of my catalog is available for licensing on a variety of different products. I also have a Spoonflower shop, so I like to design for home decor items such as wallpaper, bedding, curtains, pillows, and table linens. Those designs are also available for fabric—I love to see what people create with my patterns in their own hobbies.

When someone asks me what I am most proud of, it’s creating this business as a new mom and seeing what I have built in a few short years essentially working part time. In addition to that, when I receive feedback on my work I am always told by others ‘I can see the joy in your work.’ That gives me a sense of pride and I think that is the big selling point for my work and what really sets me apart. I love the thought that a little piece of my happiness can bring a little bit of happiness to my customers.

How do you think about happiness?

This is a great question because as an artist, your emotions inspire your work—even if you don’t realize it! My hobbies make me happy. Cooking, baking, gardening, art itself such as going to museums, etc. You can see a lot of those themes in my work. I love spending time with my family, so I find myself designing patterns around my husbands and sons hobbies. Fishing comes up sometimes when I make summer-themed items because of my husband. My son gives me so much inspiration watching him experience the world through his eyes. My ‘Berry Basket’ collection was inspired by his love of berries and it works really well on baby items like clothing and quilts.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://sarahmelendez-art.square.site/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/sarahmelendez_art

Image Credits

All photos are property of Sarah Melendez.