We were lucky to catch up with Kirsten Sadlier recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kirsten, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I grew up in a very small town on Eastern Long Island, about two hours from NYC. If you ask my mom, she’d tell you I’ve always made my own path in life. I have such a pure memory of overhearing her talking to another parent at a Girl Scouts meeting when I was about 7. We were making a Christmas project, and while everyone else followed instructions, I reimagined mine completely. She said, “That’s just Kirsten. She sees things differently, does what she wants, and she’s never going to do what everyone else does—I love that about her.” Hearing that really stuck with me.

From such a young age, I was seen and appreciated for who I truly was—flaws, gifts, and all. My mom’s unconditional support meant the world, but I was also lucky to have a father in the art world. I grew up surrounded by incredible, eccentric artists— getting to meet people who thought outside the box, just like me. Seeing them live freely and creatively showed me early on that you can carve your own path and be excited about life. The typical “grown-up life” never quite felt like the right fit for me, and in many ways, it still doesn’t. But I’m so grateful that, with the support I’ve had from the start, I’ve been able to create a career that truly feels like a dream.

Now, as a mother, I hope I’m doing a good job of truly seeing my own children for who they are and supporting what lights them up. I’ve taken the experiences from my own childhood and applied them to my work as an artist through my latest project, “The Darling Collection.” In this project, families join me to create large-scale, beautiful abstract pieces together. I want to lift up every child and give them the pride of creating something big and meaningful that will be a part of their family’s art collection forever. It feels so organic and full circle to provide kids with this experience, just like I had growing up.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an artist and creator in every sense of the word. I see light, colors, textures, and energy that inspire me and drive me to create. I started my career with abstract pieces, but when our family began surfing in California, I decided to paint surfboards, which became a transformative experience for me. I also have a sketch art collection that feels very innate, as it draws on techniques I began exploring in childhood. Now, I use this style to capture iconic and meaningful scenes for people in a timeless and sophisticated way.

In 2025, I’m thrilled to be launching a wallpaper collection with Chelsea Lane. The idea of covering entire walls in art is so exciting to me. And in addition to these projects, “The Darling Collection,” where I work with families to create large-scale pieces together, is something that truly lights me up and feels deeply meaningful to my soul.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe the best way we, as a society, can support creatives starts in childhood. From my own life experiences, and now as a mother, I’ve seen firsthand that there aren’t enough programs—both in and out of school—that truly foster creativity. When you create, you learn to problem-solve, research, generate ideas, and think outside the box. It’s one of the few areas where you don’t have to follow the rules, and our children desperately need those outlets.

These are such important life skills, and when kids are encouraged and praised for thinking with this part of their brain, the rewards are immeasurable. I believe that if children had more access to creative outlets, it could help alleviate anxiety, depression, and even reduce the stigma of being different. To me, the benefits of introducing more arts programs early on could ripple through society in so many positive ways.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

“Be the good, make the beautiful”—I live by these words. I believe in the power of showing up as your best self whenever you’re called to rise to an occasion. Whether it’s getting involved in a project that raises money for a cause or helps people in need, if you have the ability to contribute, the answer should always be yes.

The second part, “make the beautiful,” feels like my life’s mission. I’m constantly inspired by beauty in everyday moments—a sunrise beach walk, the shadows of palm trees on a tennis court, vibrant produce at a farmer’s market, or even just watching my boys laugh and have their own little conversations. I find so much joy in creating more beauty in the world, through my art. My goal is to create beauty not just for myself but for others who appreciate and are moved by it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kirstensadlierart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirstensadlierart/

Image Credits

Alexis Akemi Shisbey, Jessica Border Photography,