We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sabra Crockett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sabra below.

Sabra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. I started working as a scenic artist after I graduated from college. While I was working at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, I began learning decorative painting techniques. I was also learning how to paint big and fast, which led to mural work. I decided to leave my scenic job at ASF after I had my first son, and started working as a decorative painter in private homes and businesses. When I moved to Kentucky, I was introduced to some top interior designers which led to more high-end projects and clients. I also started working at Actors Theater as a part-time scenic artist. I was introduced to the public art sector, and created a 174 foot long mural on a federal highway underpass, which led to more public murals. All these connections resulted in more opportunities.
In 2016, I left the scenic art world, and decided to focus on becoming a fine artist. In March of 2020 I had two events that were supposed to happen the day the state locked down due to Covid. However, I was able to sell most of my paintings by posting them on social media. Now I sell my paintings pretty regularly, and have a list of clients wanting commissions.
I am phasing out of doing decorative painting for private residences, but continue to paint murals for public and private areas. I recently completed a custom Hermes- inspired booth for Hotel Bourre Bonne in downtown Louisville, KY. I am also working on a sushi restaurant in the Nulu section of Louisville, called Sake a Go Go. I painted 3 large murals on canvas that will be installed on the walls and ceiling. I am also getting ready for a solo exhibition in August of this year at Wheelhouse Gallery. These are just some of the projects I’m working on right now.

At first when I was working, it was really hard. Just having a new baby and deciding to start freelancing was scary and money was very tight, but I knew it was the right decision. I continued to say yes to a lot of different projects, and learned so much on the job. In fact, I never stop learning . I have to get out of my comfort zone to keep evolving my practice. If I don’t, I lose interest.
The one thing I keep in mind is that it takes time and effort to build a great reputation, but it can take so little to tear that reputation down. So I always strive for excellence, communicate with my clients, and keep them up to date of the process if there are any changes or delays. I also try to under-promise, and over deliver.

A major milestone for me was when I had my first solo show in a commercial gallery in 2021. It was a goal of mine for many years, and it was a very successful show.
I could not have sped up the process. It unfolded the way it was supposed to. I didn’t know who I was, or what I was about when I was younger. I needed to have life experiences to be who I am today, and what I create today.

Sabra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m disciplined to a fault. Having many projects happening at once has taught me to be very organized. I meld together decorative painting, classical realism, and conceptual art in my fine art. The size of my work varies from as small as 5 inches to as large as 250 feet. My murals can be seen all around Louisville and beyond in private homes, commercial buildings, and public areas. I mostly work in water-base materials. I have been painting professionally for almost 30 years . 2026 will be my 30th anniversary. I paint commissions, and create custom work for residential, commercial, public, and private sectors.
I solve visual problems for my clients, and I create beauty for all to enjoy. I’m most proud that I have been able to pay my bills on time since I started this business. Even the first year.
My personal work is inspired by nature, and I am interested in the many ways we value it. Most of my paintings explore this topic.
I also mentor other artists, and I curate a small gallery located in a retirement home.
I am beyond grateful that I get to paint, mentor, and create for a living.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Recently, I was chosen to design a mural for a Wal -mart store in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. I was to digitally create it, and the mural would be enlarged 10 x its size, printed on canvas, and applied to the wall. I was hesitant about taking on this project due to my work load. This was also my first time creating any digital art at 720 dpi, and I was not aware of the amount of detail involved. I use Photoshop to usually create my maquette for my paintings or murals, but never in a finished state as was required for this mural. I diligently worked on this design for 56 hours, learning as I was creating it, but finally getting to a finished state. Just as I had one more element in the mural to develop, I opened up my file, and it was a black box. All my layers, all my work was just gone. My husband spent an hour trying to recover my file, but to no avail. I think I was in shock, but I just started from the beginning. I didn’t cry. I didn’t throw a fit. I was just in automatic mode, and started rebuilding my design from scratch. Luckily, I still had my digital sketches on file, so I at least had a starting point. Again, I worked diligently about 60 hours on the second design, made several copies of the file on an external hard drive, the cloud, etc. and was able to hand in the design a couple of days early from the deadline. I’m happy to announce they accepted the design, and there weren’t any adjustments that needed to be made.

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

When I think about my own work, I think about how I want to be a mechanism for shifting people’s awareness towards nature. I want to show people all the lessons the natural world can teach us if we are willing to slow down, listen, and observe. I have a deep reverence for all living creatures. Even the mundane and over-looked. I firmly believe there is a connection between humans and other living creatures. Not only are scientists finding the health benefits of being outdoors, they are also finding more and more evidence of intelligence in animals, birds, insects, even trees. They are known to solve mathematical problems, create complex tools, and even start trends. We are not that different. Yet, a large portion of humans still believe that we are superior to the natural world, and can use Mother Nature’s gifts as we like without consequences. In a time where the message is glaringly urgent to stop and examine our ethics towards nature and change our beliefs and behaviors, I bring that message through my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sabracrockett.com
• Instagram: sabra_l_crockett_artist
• Facebook: sabra_l_crockett_artist
• Other: bluesky- sabra-crockett.bsky.socialsubstack- Sabra Lynne Crockett

Image Credits

portrait of Sabra in front of wave mural- Jonas Wilson