We recently connected with Sally Bunting and have shared our conversation below.
Sally, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Oh, absolutely—I love what I do, but I’d be lying if I said I never wonder what it would be like to have a regular job.
The last time that thought really hit me was a few months ago during one of those overwhelming weeks where everything seemed to pile up at once. I had multiple deadlines for galleries, commissions stacking up, an art show approaching, and on top of that, my kids were sick. I remember standing in my studio late at night, exhausted, trying to finish a painting that just wasn’t coming together. My hands were covered in paint, my inbox was overflowing, and I had a moment where I thought, Wouldn’t it be nice to just clock in and out of a job, get a steady paycheck, and not have to juggle a million things at once?
But then I remember why I chose this path. Beyond the creative fulfillment, the biggest gift of working for myself is the flexibility to be home with my kids. Even on the busiest days, I get to paint in my studio while they play nearby, take breaks to snuggle them when they need me, and be present for the little moments I know I’d miss if I worked a traditional job.
The next morning, after that tough night in the studio, I walked in with my coffee and saw the same painting in the morning light. Suddenly, I knew exactly what it needed. A few adjustments, and it all clicked. That feeling—that I get to wake up every day and create, that this is mine—reminds me why I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.
So while I have those fleeting thoughts, I always come back to the same conclusion: as unpredictable and demanding as it is, this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
Sally, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Color, movement, and emotion—these are the driving forces behind my work. I’m Sally Bunting, a contemporary artist based in Charleston, SC, and I create vibrant, expressive paintings that bring energy and personality into people’s homes. My art is a reflection of the world as I see it—full of life, texture, and unexpected moments of beauty.
My journey into the art world wasn’t a straight path. I’ve always been drawn to painting, but turning it into a career happened gradually. What started as a personal creative outlet evolved into a full-time business as I began sharing my work, connecting with collectors, and finding my place in the art community. Today, I sell original paintings, offer commissions, collaborate with galleries, and create unique wood cutout pieces that add a sculptural element to my work.
What sets my art apart is the way I use color and form to capture movement and emotion. My work isn’t just about creating something visually striking—it’s about evoking a feeling, telling a story, and making a space feel alive. I love working with collectors who are searching for something personal, whether it’s a statement piece or a custom commission that holds special meaning.
Beyond my art, I’m also passionate about sharing my journey—both as an artist and as a mother. My eldest son, James, has Down syndrome, and his presence in my life has shaped the way I see the world and the way I create. Advocacy and inclusion are important parts of my story, and I love that my platform allows me to intertwine those aspects of my life with my work.
If you’re just discovering my work, here’s what I want you to know—my paintings are a fusion of color, movement, and emotion, designed to bring beauty and inspiration into everyday spaces. It’s not just about decorating a wall; it’s about sparking joy, connection, and a little bit of magic every time you walk by. Art should be fun, meaningful, and a little unexpected—kind of like life itself—and I love that I get to share that with you!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots I’ve had to make was when I transitioned from painting purely for myself to running a full-fledged art business.
In the beginning, I was creating simply for the love of it—exploring color, experimenting with different subjects, and enjoying the process without much thought of selling or marketing. But as people started showing interest in my work, I realized I had the opportunity to turn my passion into something more. The shift from being “just an artist” to being a business owner was a huge learning curve. Suddenly, I wasn’t just painting—I was managing commissions, handling shipping logistics, learning how to price my work, and figuring out how to market myself.
A major pivot came when I realized I couldn’t just wait for people to find my work—I had to actively put it out there. That’s when I really leaned into Instagram, built relationships with collectors and galleries, and started treating my art like a business rather than a hobby. It was a shift in mindset, but once I embraced it, my career completely changed.
There have been other pivots along the way—adjusting to motherhood while running my business, expanding into galleries, and even shifting my artistic style at times—but each one has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that pivoting isn’t a setback; it’s often the thing that moves you forward.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that success as an artist meant constant productivity—always creating, always producing, always saying yes to opportunities.
In the early days of my business, I felt like I had to keep up with this relentless pace to prove myself. If I wasn’t painting, I was marketing. If I wasn’t marketing, I was answering emails, networking, shipping orders, or brainstorming the next big thing. I told myself that slowing down meant falling behind, and I feared that if I wasn’t constantly putting out new work, people would lose interest.
But then, burnout hit. Hard. I remember staring at a blank canvas, feeling completely drained and uninspired. The thing that once brought me so much joy felt like a job I had to push through rather than something I got to do. It wasn’t sustainable.
I had to unlearn the belief that more always equals better. Creativity needs space to breathe. I learned that rest isn’t laziness—it’s part of the process. Some of my best ideas have come during times when I stepped away from the studio, took a walk, played with my kids, or simply let myself exist without pressure.
Now, I work with a different mindset. I remind myself that quality matters more than quantity, that it’s okay to say no to things that don’t align, and that creating from a place of joy—not exhaustion—is what makes my work meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sallybunting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sally_b_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sallybuntingart
