Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Dahlinger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I think the most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on, is the one I’m currently working on – Astra Fauna.

Astra Fauna is a book that follows six alien scientists who are each exploring the far corners of a vast universe.

It’s true that Astra Fauna is going to be a book, but it’s also going to be my brand. It took a while, and a lot of wrong turns to get here. I’ve tried lots of different subject matters and mediums in the past, and basically tried to make everyone else happy.

With Astra Fauna, I’m making something from my heart, my soul, and I’m inviting others to join me.

It must sound funny for people who haven’t made a creative brand before, but it’s so hard to find something that you want to be your “thing”.

In the past, I hopped from gig to gig, project to project, but for the first time, I’m actually developing my world(s) from scratch and it’s been really fun.

Sarah, 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?

My mom has a funny story about me pushing puzzle pieces away from me as a toddler. You see, I hate puzzles – in all forms.

Until I found one type of puzzle, the only type I ever want to solve: anatomy.

I fell in love with drawing écorché anatomy drawings of both humans and animals. This led me quickly down the path of creature design since creature design is anatomy, biology, and imagination all wrapped into one.

I had been inventing monsters for as long as I could remember, and now I could make them believable.

This is what I can do best for my clients: I make the unbelievable look believable.

My creatures are grounded in the real world, so when they appear before their audience, people can relate to them and understand them.

I work in many styles and to two that I’m asked for the most are detailed ZBrush sculpts and a ink and watercolor scientific illustration style.

Between these two, I can create the 2D art that the 3D art of based from, and then make the 3D art as well. I do everything in house. I can draw, sculpt, 3D print, and mold/cast a new creature.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In the beginning of my career, I was trying so hard to make it, that I actually injured my elbows and wrists so badly, I couldn’t hold a pencil for two years. The pain was unimaginable – like my arms were on fire, every second, of every day, for a full year. The second year, it only got slightly better.

I’m the classic case of artist tendonitis and nerve damage. I was told my career was over and I’d never draw again; I’m stubborn and ignored the pain for too long.

However, since I’m stubborn, I’m also a case of complete recovery. It took four years of dedicated rehab before I was back to a full day of drawing again. I never gave up, and lots of people told me it was no use.

That injury happened ten years ago now. I’m back to drawing or sculpting a full day, as well as lifting heavy, and gardening. I’m more careful now, and have a good self care routine.

However, if there was ever a time to quit, it was then, and that was ten years ago. So I’m not in the business of quitting.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

My family has two favorite sayings, “Show me a man who’s lost three times, and I’ll show you a loser.” and “Do it right or not at all”

As a consequence, I’ve been horrified of losing and failure my whole life.

In truth, I don’t think I’ve fully embraced the idea of fail forward although I do fully agree with it. Concept artists need to fail, and fail a lot, to find something new, and something unique. Failing is literally part of the job.

I’ve often struggled with the ideas that this is “bad” or “wrong” but I’m getting better with time.

In general, I think looking at failure as a learning opportunity is far more healthy, and yields better result long term.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.astrafauna.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahdahlingerart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahDahlingerArt/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-dahlinger/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SDahlingerArt
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMTarZA9JPVlTG5cnyu4LRQ
• Other: Artstation – https://www.artstation.com/sarahdahlinger Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/m/AstraFauna

Image Credits
All images were created by Sarah Dahlinger. Copywrite Sarah Dahlinger.