We recently connected with Sara Rose and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

As much as I have always been drawn to color and art, and I am grateful to my experiences, but believe art and travel should be more financially accessible. As I’ve always wanted my creations to have a purpose, I became a multimedia designer. This has allowed me to bring a professional level of creativity to my hobbies, my business AND my job. Mine was not an easy or perfect path, but I do hope to pay it back and encourage creators to follow their artistic dream, too.

While I’ve petitioned to create and improve social media posts for behavioral health response efforts in California, along with a resume of newsletters, websites, and software that help improve access to services, in my personal time, I run NerdGlassesLLC. A multifaceted production business where I blog about travel and how we focus on behavioral health education through multimedia (www.ThereGoesSaraRose.com), sell my art on Redbubble (https://www.redbubble.com/people/SaraRoseArt/shop), and have two books on Amazon, and a live events at Twitch.tv/NerdGlassesLLC.

Balancing my full-time job and my business has been challenging but rewarding. It’s given me the stability to explore my creative passions without the pressure of relying on one source for income. Looking back, I could have sped things up by networking more, learning marketing earlier, and being more structured with my time. However, to boost my skills further, I’m heading back to school this Fall to complete a master’s in instructional science and technology. While I haven’t made a full-time living from my creative work alone, blending creativity with my professional roles has been fulfilling and impactful and allows me to avoid creative burnout if I had focused on one medium alone.

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

My life has been quite an adventure, starting a completely independent life shortly after turning 18. With no stable home or family to rely on, I found solace in my friends and in art. During those early challenging times, creativity was my saving grace.

In the early years, I created posters for my friends’ bands and flyers for local businesses. Eventually, I expanded my skills to include website design and improving the effectiveness of websites and training programs. This path led me to study media design. Despite completing my Bachelor’s in 2020, I, like many others, missed out on the experience of a traditional graduation due to the global health crisis.

Currently, I use my creative abilities to share public through social media and public programs. On top of that, I manage NerdGlassesLLC, where I write about travel on ThereGoesSaraRose.com, sell on Redbubble, and publish books on Amazon, all with the mission of promoting mental well-being. My “nerdy kawaii” art serves as a fun, stress-relieving outlet, blending cute and geeky elements.

One important lesson I’ve learned is to separate my mental health from my work, a balance I’m still refining. Travel and art help keep me grounded and open-minded. where I then share my journey through blogging. Additionally, by combining my passion with purpose, I’ve been able to be a part of projects much larger than myself such as raising thousands for charity through social media and digital events. One consistent thing I am dedicated to though through this has been using my creativity to make a positive impact, both in my professional and personal life.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is the idea that creativity is purely spontaneous and doesn’t require practice. While this can be true, skills are practiced and talents are honed. This hit me when I hosted an online singing competition on Twitch.tv’s Twitch Sings. I discovered that anyone can sing with enough practice. I had always encouraged others the art of drawing and painting became refined with practice but hadn’t yet realized education and training applies to all artistic mediums.

However, this is the beauty of peer review. It takes courage to overcome the fear of putting our creations out for others to critique. What it takes is the bravery to share our work and invite opinions. This process not only hones our skills but also builds our confidence.

Creativity is like a muscle that requires regular exercise, regardless of the art form. Whether you’re designing a new website, crafting the perfect social media post, or even singing, it all requires experience and the act of trying. Understanding this not only helped me improve my work but also allowed me to strike a balance between my creative pursuits and my mental health. This lesson has been crucial in remembering to separate my self-worth from the productions.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion, integrating art and design in our everyday work and life is not only key to supporting creativity and passion but improving our mental health within a community. This is specifically true in the rural and ag communities, where we are sometimes forgotten alongside larger cities. Recognizing the value of creativity in problem-solving, communication, and community-building can lead to more innovative and effective solutions and accessibility.

One critical step is to make art supplies and historical art pieces more available to the general public. Museums and Science Centers are not free and many are only open during traditional business hours, affecting several working ‘classes’ access. If changed, we can use art spaces as a form of education and mental health care. Providing public access to these resources can inspire creativity, foster a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage, and offer therapeutic benefits.

Additionally, creating more opportunities for peer review and collaborative projects can help artists and creatives grow and improve their work. Encouraging environments where constructive feedback is welcomed can build confidence and refine skills. Supporting arts education from an early age and offering grants, residencies, and public art projects can also nurture talent and innovation. Overall, if we increase our investments and value in the arts, we can create a more vibrant, resilient, and mentally healthy society.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ThereGoesSaraRose.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theregoessararose/
• Twitter: https://x.com/NerdGlassesLLC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theregoessararose
• Other: RedBubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/SaraRoseArt/shop
  Amazon Books: https://amzn.to/4f6g8eh

Image Credits

Selfie at Ragged Point, CA by Sara Rose. Screenshots of blog, store, and books by and with permission to share by, Sara Rose. ThereGoesSaraRose.com portrait by JSA Images. ‘Sara Rose at the Grand Canyon’, ‘Sara Rose phone screen close up of Nebraska sign’ – by M. Neri. Copyright of all photos owned by NerdGlasses, LLC.