Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Rocano.

Hi Sabrina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I knew from a very young age that art was a big part of who I am and being an artist or creative was all I ever wanted to be. But I grew up in a time where the majority of people believed following a creative career path was unlikely to translate into something stable or successful and was viewed as unrealistic. The expectation was to follow a more traditional path, but as it turns out, my path wasn’t meant to be traditional.

My life took an unexpected turn when I became a teen mom of two. With motherhood came the need for stability, so I decided to pursue a career in healthcare as I always enjoyed caring for others and wanted to help people. I worked hard, balancing the responsibilities of being a single mom of two babies, going to college full-time and working to support us. I had graduated and was working in private home care for some time, then one day while I was on my way to my first patient of the day, I was in a car accident. Thankfully the injuries I had sustained weren’t too severe but it did leave me with a chronic pain condition. Mind you, I had been living with chronic pain most of my life, but up until this point it was fairly manageable- I had often called out sick from jobs or classes, but I was still able to hold a job down and get my work done. I was able to function and do normal everyday tasks. But this car crash had taken those abilities away. It took away my ability to work in the healthcare industry all together, and because of that I felt incredibly lost. I had built my life around this career, and now I had to figure out what was next, all while grieving the loss of the life I envisioned for myself and my family.

It took time for me to move on. I was angry with the circumstance I was now facing, disappointed that after all that time and money I invested working towards something, it was all for nothing. And worse, it made other career opportunities fall away from the realm of possibility too. Most jobs required more from me than I’m capable of giving with this condition and its limitations. And the flexibility I require from employers is often too much to ask. So, what was I to do? Where would I end up?

As disheartening as this situation was, I am a big believer in divine timing. I believe that everything happens for a reason, even if we aren’t able to figure out what that reason is. And for me, this tragedy was actually a blessing. It pulled me back into what I had always known, but never had the courage to go for or explore deeper. It freed me from the notion that I couldn’t possibly make a life for myself as a creative. So, that’s what I did. I started pouring myself into my art, and with the encouragement of my friends and family, I began to post my art on Instagram in July of 2020, marking the beginning of my artistic journey in the digital world.

The first couple of years sharing my art, was about growing myself as an artist. pushing myself to learn, experiment and explore my personal creativity. while also connecting with others in the corner of the internet where artists live. And after I felt like I had found my artistic voice, I began turning my passion into a business. In 2023, I began participating in markets where I sold art prints and stickers of my work, and by September 2024, I officially registered my art-based business and opened my online shop. The next month, I took things a step further and started documenting my journey on YouTube, where I share my day-to-day life as an artist and small business owner in weekly vlog-style videos. Adding another outlet for my creativity, and connecting me with an even wider audience has been a great way to connect with others on similar journeys and find my tribe of people. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. With each new market, every sale and all the interactions with other vendors, customers and followers, I’ve gained confidence, a sense of belonging, and the recognition and validation I never imagined I’d receive. I feel like my hard work is slowly starting to pay off, and my commitment to my creative journey is unwavering.

I’m still in my humble beginnings of this journey, but one thing I know for sure- I have never been happier. Today, I am more than just a human living with chronic pain, with a long list of the things I can’t do. I’m not a failed healthcare worker, or someone incapable of achieving anything meaningful in my life. I am an artist and a businesswoman, an entrepreneur, and a mother who has shown her children what it means to follow your passions and never give up. The person I am today is a far cry from the person I once was, but I’m also exactly the person I was always meant to be. What was once considered an unrealistic dream is now reality—and the best part is, I’m only getting started. The future feels limitless and I’m ready to embrace whatever comes next.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The cost of creating is absolutely a hurdle. Making art can be expensive! That’s why, in the beginning, I leaned into digital art as my medium of choice. It afforded me the ability to learn, experiment and grow my skills as an artist without the cost of traditional mediums. I had access to endless canvases, colours, brushes and pencils and that made a world of difference for me.

That being said, I’ve always believed in *using what you’ve got*. Art can be made from anything if you have the drive to create. Now that I’ve moved into traditional mediums, I still hold that same mindset. My collection of supplies is modest, and I know it’ll take time to grow. But at the end of the day, you don’t need the most expensive tools to create something beautiful, meaningful, and impactful—and I think my work is proof of that.

An ongoing and lifetime challenge I face is managing my chronic illness while fulfilling my creative desires and business goals. I think many of us can agree that there never seems to be enough hours in the day, even without health challenges, and those hours feel even less when your health has to come before anything else (or there’s no artist to create the art!)

Another challenge is my own personal battle with self-doubt, insecurity and imposter syndrome. I’m a self-taught artist and though it might be surprising that that could be a challenge, I’ve felt that without a formal education, my art isn’t valuable or appealing. I used to compare myself to artists who had gone to school, feeling as though I was at a disadvantage. Thankfully over time, I realized that what actually matters is passion, dedication, and a willingness to keep learning. The fact that I kept creating—no matter how I got there—is what really defines me. My skills have grown so much, and honestly, I’m super proud of how far I’ve come.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

My art is a celebration of women and nature, merging elements of magic, whimsy, and surrealism to create captivating portraits that invite viewers to see the world through a more enchanting lens. Inspired by the natural world, life’s challenges and triumphs, and the shared human experience, I strive to capture both moments of quiet serenity and the powerful forces of transformation. Using varying mediums for each project, such as acrylic paint, watercolour and other mixed-media, I create pieces where reality and imagination intertwine, uncovering the magic hidden within the everyday. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to embrace the beauty, complexity, and mystery of the world around us.

My background in healthcare has profoundly shaped my perspective on the human condition, deepening my understanding of how we perceive and communicate emotions. This insight allows me to look beyond the surface and translate those hidden depths into visual storytelling. By infusing my work with themes of growth, transformation, and spirituality, I explore the peaks and valley’s we face as human beings. Pieces like Nesting and Bloom reflect this journey—Bloom, for example, was created during a time of personal struggle with depression. It symbolizes the renewal that follows hardship, much like spring emerging after a long winter. Through my art, I aim to capture these cycles of darkness and rebirth, reminding viewers that even after the storm, beauty and life will return.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

I wouldn’t say I have one specific mentor—I have an entire world of them. I cast a wide net, learning from every woman in business who shares her experiences. I’m drawn to people who show up as their authentic selves—those who share their struggles, work through obstacles, and work towards building something meaningful from the ground up. I learn so much just by observing others, so following people who inspire me has played a huge role in shaping my own creative business. I’ve built many meaningful connections and friendships with talented artists and creative entrepreneurs that share my passion and ambition, and having those connections leaves the door open for conversation about challenges we may be facing, where we can lean on each other and work the problem. I constantly seek out other creatives running businesses similar to mine, drawing inspiration from their journeys while keeping in mind that my path will be uniquely my own.

I always encourage artists to seek out in-person events, whether it’s artisan markets, conventions, creative business courses or creative meetups. Being an artist can be pretty solitary, so these events are a great way to connect—not just with other artists and business owners but also with experienced vendors, industry leaders, and, most importantly, the collectors who appreciate your work.

At the end of the day, the biggest takeaway in having a mentor of any kind, is gaining new perspectives—especially ones that challenge your own. Seeing how others navigate their creative journeys can help you make better, more informed decisions in your own. So even if you don’t have a specific mentor, like me, take a moment to look around at all the opportunity for that guidance already around you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.skalystudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skalystudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skalystudios
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@skalystudios
• Other: [email protected]