Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Aileen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?
The one that immediately comes to mind is the commission from Louis Vuitton. I was scanning my inbox one day and saw an email from one of their project managers. I instantly thought, “It’s an ad.” However, I discovered that it was quite real. She had come across my art on Instagram and sent a to-the-point request asking if I was available to recreate one of my designs (at that time, the largest was 12in/305mm square) in the dimensions of 35in x 59in/900x1500mm and in a particular timeline. Naturally, I said yes and was thrilled she had the vision to imagine my work at that scale. We ironed out the logistics, and then I needed to tackle the issue of having the surface made. It would be much larger than the surfaces I’d worked on previously. It wasn’t the type of thing I could waltz into an art store and buy. Luckily, having connected with many successful artists via social media, I had some idea of where to start. I found a place that could handle the job, and a month later, it was delivered to me, ready to prep, prime, and paint. I mixed up custom colors, bright and saturated, for high impact. I ensured every last bit of the painting was perfect. The pandemic threw a few curveballs on timing (hello, supply chain delays!), but it all came together. It’s now displayed in the Bellevue, Washington store, bringing a bold dose of color to the space.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I’ve always been creatively inclined. As a child, I was soaking paper in an old work tub and then dotting it with watercolor to create “stationery.” In college, I studied art and experimented with sculpture, ceramics, and metals, you name it. Ironically, I never took a painting studio class! Once out of school, I took the “practical” route and went into the corporate world for 17 years. During that time, I created sporadically. The urge to return to something more artistic and entrepreneurial never left. Making that pivot has been like returning to myself, and I’m excited to be pursuing this path.
I’ve always loved minimalism. It allows for energy to be expressed with shape and color. My education is grounded in graphic design; that background informs the precision of my pieces. I’m a big fan of editing and refining.
I draw inspiration from the everyday: colors in a sign, architectural lines, and the play of light can spark an idea. I flesh out the concept digitally or by hand. I run through multiple variations until I hit on one that excites me. Once the design reaches that point, I’m ready to bring it to life.
Ideas are everywhere and not only for artists. I want to inspire others to watch for similar flashes of inspiration in their lives.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Instagram has been the best. It’s so visually oriented, and the square layout suits my geometric style perfectly. I’ve connected with many interior designers, collectors, and fellow artists through the app. It’s an excellent way for people to keep up with my current projects and get behind-the-scenes peeks at what goes into making a piece and the thought process of design. The personal touch fosters relationships over time and creates connections that would be tough to do without the visual aspect.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
The podcast, The Business of Authority, with Jonathan Stark and Rochelle Moulton, is invaluable. While not directly art related, I highly recommend it for anyone in a service-based business. They discuss concepts around value, time, positioning, etc. Their episode, The Services Buying Journey, which aired October 17, 2022, is perfect for hearing the ideas applied to a real-world example. They dissect the decision-making process (on a purchase as banal but necessary as a water heater!) in an eye-opening way.
Contact Info:
- Website: sarahaileen.com
- Instagram: @sarahaileenstudio
Image Credits
headshot by Sasha Reiko, other photos by Sarah Aileen