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

Sarah , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

My journey to being able to earn a living doing something creative started in a surprising place. I had been out of art school for since 2009 and got a job that was downright abusive. At some point I decided with the help of a supportive partner, that I was going to make being an artist work for me so I got a small studio at the Pendleton art center and started to show there. Interestingly, I now show in the studio of an artist I admired in college. To my surprise I was able to survive and thrive there. I had said at the time I would never work for anyone else again but then a fellow artist encouraged me to apply for an art instructor position at a local art center. To my surprise it checked all my boxes and then some, supportive management, an outlet for my creativity and location in a campus of Victorian mansions. I feel blessed beyond expectations.

Sarah , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a fine artist and art instructor. I was strangely enough an illustration major at the Art Academy of Cincinnati which give my fine art the air of Vintage Picture Book. I work primarily in Watercolors, Oils and make what can charitably be described as creepy dolls. I teach ages ranging from 7-70 in a vast array of media. My favorite classes are art outreach. It feels good to nurture students creativity the way mine was.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

There aren’t creative or uncreative people. As human beings we have an ability to create. Wether you earn your main source of income is irrelevant. I’m fortunate enough to have that opportunity but my main incentive is the personal enjoyment I get out of it and that is a joy all people have right to access.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to improve and elucidate my experience of life and the lives of those around me. Sometimes I accomplish this by making that offers a hopefully novel perspective to a viewer. At other times, I try to encourage others to make and derive a similar enjoyment from their own work.

Contact Info:

• Website: rocheleauart.com
• Instagram: rocheleauart
• Facebook: Rocheleau Art

Image Credits
n/a