We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophia Eisenbart Macias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sophia below.
Sophia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I think the first time it truly hit me was when I was in college. I had been painting a lot and getting accepted into art shows pretty regularly, which already felt amazing—but the turning point came when I sold my first painting. It was actually my favorite one at the time, and I remember feeling a mix of emotions: proud, surprised, and a little sad to part with it.
That painting ended up being purchased by my hometown university—my alma mater—which made it feel even more full-circle and meaningful. I had priced it affordably at $400, even though it was a large 5-foot piece, because I wanted it to actually sell. At the time, it was tough to get anyone interested in something that size, but I remember thinking, “This is it. This is what I want. To create, to connect, and to be appreciated for it.”
Of course, the journey hasn’t always been smooth. There was a long stretch where I didn’t sell much—just small pieces here and there. I experimented with different sizes and styles, trying to figure out what worked. Looking back, I realize the biggest mistake I made was letting discouragement get the best of me. I broke my own rule: perseverance over everything. That moment taught me something important though—that the key is to keep going, especially when it feels like no one’s watching. The build-up pays off eventually.
Now, I believe more than ever in staying adaptable and diversifying as an artist. That first sale lit a fire in me, but it was the hard lessons that helped me keep it burning.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a painter and multi-disciplinary artist, but more broadly, I consider myself a creative mind who’s always in motion. I create artwork, make videos for YouTube, freelance when I can, and constantly explore new ways to make a living through creativity. When I’m not working on my own projects, I’m in the classroom, teaching high school students how to tap into their own creative potential through art. My primary mediums are collage and acrylic painting. I find a lot of joy in both—collaging allows me to piece together fragments into something entirely new and unexpected, while painting lets me fully immerse myself in color, texture, and emotion. My creative world also includes digital illustration, sketchbook work, video editing, and crafting visual content.
What sets me apart, I think, is my ability to juggle all these disciplines at once. I naturally compartmentalize the different forms of creativity I’m working in—whether it’s painting, editing, collaging, or designing—and instead of feeling overwhelmed, it energizes me. It’s the “real world” stuff that’s more stressful—my art is the escape and the fuel at the same time. For years, I’ve gone by the name ArtoftheBart, originally playing off my last name (Eisenbart) before I got married. That’s still the name of my main website, artofthebart.net, which was the very first site I ever set up—and yes, I still update it! At the core of what I do is a mission to stay true to the act of creating, and doing what adds to my peace and happiness. I want potential clients, collectors, and others to know that what I create comes from a genuine place. I’m always evolving, and I’m open to trying new mediums and reaching new people.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
One of the most direct and impactful ways to support artists is simple: buy art. Support creators by investing in their work, whether that’s through purchasing a piece, commissioning them, subscribing to their content, or sharing their work with others. Financial support goes a long way—not just to sustain the artist, but to show that their work is valued.
Beyond that, I think society needs to start seeing artists for what they really are: trained problem solvers. Artists are constantly thinking creatively, adapting, innovating, and making something out of nothing. Those are powerful skills, and they deserve a place in the workforce, in leadership, in education, and in industries far beyond the traditional “art world.” Giving artists a real seat at the table—through job opportunities, grants, mentorships, and visibility—strengthens the whole ecosystem.
Artists help us imagine better futures, challenge the norm, and bring beauty and meaning into daily life. Supporting them is an investment in culture, progress, and possibility.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that everything I created needed to be perfect. I’m pretty sure that came from a fear of judgment—whether from professionals, peers, or just people watching what I was up to. I used to put so much pressure on myself to make everything polished and “right,” which ironically just made it harder to make anything at all- and It would freeze me. I wouldn’t be able to show anything to anyone.
Unlearning that meant giving myself permission to create things that might not be traditionally beautiful—or even things that some people might consider “ugly.” And once I let go of that perfectionism, I realized something really freeing: there’s an audience for everyone. And not only that—imperfection is often what makes a piece feel the most human. We aren’t perfect ourselves, so why should our art be? I know there’s probably someone out there that will disagree with that but then this message probably isn’t for you. That shift brought joy back into my process and made my work feel more authentic- more like me. I think people connect more with that authenticity anyway!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artofthebart.net
- Instagram: @seisenbart
- Youtube: @artofthebart
- Other: https://linktr.ee/seisenbart
