We recently connected with Sarah Roberts and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Some of my fondest memories are summer days running through the countryside on my grandparents 20 acres. A notebook and pencil in hand, skipping through the garden to find flowers and butterflies to draw. I have always loved creating from nature; it is by far where I draw the most inspiration. I have carried that passion into adulthood and went to college for graphic design. I worked for Friesen Design, Inc. for nearly a decade as a graphic designer. My boss, Kevin, was always encouraging and a great source of knowledge. While I grew as a creative my family was also growing. When my second son was only four months old I was organizing his nursery closest and came across a box I had not seen for a while – my pencil box. I wiped the dust off and opened it to find all my pencils, charcoal, watercolor paints and brushes. I instantly missed creating with my hands; getting them dirty with graphite and paint. So I started painting again after my babies went to bed for the night. This was the moment I felt something might come out of this spark to create fine art again. Two more years went by working as a graphic designer before I stepped into being a full time stay at home mom while also pursuing the artistic path professionally.

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 back background and context?

As an imperfect person I have found grace and forgiveness through the salvation offered from Christ’s finished work on the cross. The Lord is the ultimate creator and I draw my inspiration from His creation. As a child I always saw God in the tiniest details of a flower, the hum of a bumble bee, and the beautiful colors of butterfly wings. By painting these tiny beauties I can humbly show the Lord’s creation to others and bring Him glory in some small way. That is what drives me to create. So art has always been apart of me and a passion of mine.

As previously stated I went to college for graphic design and worked in the design world for almost a decade. I loved designing brands for companies and enjoyed many aspects of that job, but I always felt like I was missing something. After college, I had put away all my fine art tools. It wasn’t until after my second baby was born I found them tucked away and started watercolor painting every night after my babies were in bed. It was like reuniting with a long lost friend. However, I felt like I was a brand new artist. I’d lost a lot of the muscle memory I once had, but I told myself even if I only get to paint for 5 minutes a day progress is still being made! And that’s what I did/still do over 4 years later. I try and paint every day even if only for 5 minutes. I’m 5 months postpartum with my daughter and its still a discipline I try to keep!

I stepped away from my 9-5 job a little over a year ago to stay home with my kids. We transitioned to homeschooling and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! I had also decided to start my business. Being home with my kids (I now have 3!) while also building my small business has honestly been a dream for me. My boys love coming along side me; seeing me paint and seeing how to manage a small business is fun for them. Hopefully, the take away will be you can care for your family and turn your passion into a small business. Sometimes, I see women say they can’t do (fill in the blank) because they have kids. I personally don’t resonate with that. My family is my number one priority so growth may not look like what’s expected, but I find more success and fulfillment this way.

Right now, my business provides original and replications of my original work. I paint what brings me joy in hopes it’ll bring others joy as well. Flowers and the beautiful midwest landscape is what captures my interest the most. There is so much beauty in florals that maybe people are to busy to notice. Or maybe they want to bring the beauty of the outside into their home! My clients say my work exudes peace and beauty which is what I aim for when creating pieces to share with the world. I’m most proud when I hear someone say my work has found a place on the walls of their home. I get messages often from people who say how they love looking at their new piece and many are repeat buyers! Thats the greatest compliment as an artist!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Colossians 3:17 says “and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”. My ultimate goal is to live for Christ. My business is not excluded from this call. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.” This is what drives my creative journey. I am imperfect; making mistakes along the way, but if the Lord can use me and my small business then that’s my driving force to continue sharing my art with the world.

My goal, right now, is to continue sharing my art and slowly grow my business. I love painting watercolor florals and landscapes, but the reward is when someone connects with my work and chooses to hang my art in their home! Even more of a reward is when they come back for more! Getting to beautify peoples homes with my art, knowing that when they walk past it it brings them happiness is a really special feeling.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I jumped into Etsy in 2020 not really knowing what I was doing or how to run a small business. I was constantly pivoting as I learned the right and wrong way to manage a creative business. I quickly realized outsourcing my print making was not for me and jumped into creating my own reproductions. It was definitely the right decision after I figured out the equipment and paper to use for my prints. I felt this was the right decision because I’m in control of paper and print quality. I want my print reproductions to be as close to the original painting as I can get.

Also, I think as a homemaker and small business owner I’m always pivoting because my days aren’t as structured – how can they be with tiny little feet running around?! As we’ve added on to our family many things have to change to accommodate the newest little blessing. Somethings have to slow way down. So in this stage of life my business goals have to be reasonable. My first priority is family so making unrealistic business goals only sets me up for failure. Not only in my business, but my personal life also. Stress can be very heavy when we stretch ourselves thin. I aim for high quality in my business and I can not give that quality if I take on too much. There will come a day when my babies are grown or more independent and my business goals will pivot once again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sarahjanestudiosart.com/
• Instagram: @sarahjanestudioart

Image Credits

Headshots by Sheena Rae