Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Soule Webb. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sarah, appreciate you joining 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?
I’ve “always been an artist” as every child starts out as one…. I was encouraged to pursue a more stable career so in college (The University of Alabama) I studied Nutrition and obtained my Master’s degree.. I was full time as a Registered Dietitian in my 20’s and painted on the weekends. Im a greatful to have had my income not be reliant on my creativity at the start of my adult life. After about 10 years – and when I started having babies (we have 3 kids), I took a leap and went part time to be able to paint part time as well. I mostly was producing commissioned work – anything to make a buck and justify leaving a full time job. Daycare and child expenses are great motivators. House portraits, dog portraits, you wanted it painted, I would do it! Im 8 years in to being a full time artist and I still LOVE my commissions. They got me here and now Im in a position to pick what jobs I want to do and I have honed my artistic voice so people approach me for MY style and vision. I’ve learned to be a very good communicator on expectations, boundaries, pricing, etc. and refer to other artists when something isnt in my wheelhouse.
Now I book 7-9 months in advance and I plan 3 commissions a month. It allows me room to create “for me” and build up a body of work while also guaranteeing a consistent income.
Years ago I started making prints of my work. It was such a headache because of how I was running the business. I streamlined the process with the help of my brilliant cousin, Ana Soule (a recent economics grad) and it has allowed me a consistent and low hassle income stream. Batch ordering, packaging, shipping blew my mind. I love to research efficiency models and set up systems to manage my business. This past year I’ve partnered with a childhood best friend and given her the reigns of the merch side of things. It has been such fun to bring in someone with a fresh perspective. We’ve launched aprons, pillows, tableware and have many more ideas coming down the pipes. I’m honored Amelie partnered with me and am excited to see where we take it.
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 “water artist”. I’m known for my underwater portraits of children swimming. They are happy, silly, vibrant and nostalgic, reminding one of dunking your head under a wave at the beach or doing a cannon ball in your friend’s pool. Is there anything better in life than being a kid in summertime? I partner with professional underwater photographers all over the US to create custom, quirky paintings that hopefully the kids will fight over many years from now. I grew up in Pensacola, FL and returned here with my husband and 3 children at the end of 2020. We were in Birmingham, Al for 15 years and moved when Covid made me miss my family and the water. Growing up on the coast – any coast- gets in your soul and wont let you forget it.
My more serious art is large scale photo-surrealistic paintings of water. I’ve been honored to be collected by hospitals in the south east, hotels, restaurants, offices, and ofcourse beautiful homes. I pinch myself every time one of my paintings finds a home. Frankly, I cant believe I get to do this for a living!
While water is my passion and what I’m known for, I have a wide variety of subject matter. For over 18 years, I’ve painted from vintage photographs, combining them in a modern, vibrant style. It is fun to change it up when I’m feeling stale.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Charities and giving… Every creative I know can probably relate to this! We get hit up A LOT for silent auction items (along with gift stores and restaurants). I can’t tell you how many times, early on in my career, that I donated a piece of original art only for it to sell for less than what the canvas cost me. To this day, the word “Exposure” can make my stomach turn. I have NEVER (that I know of) gotten a commission or sold a painting after someone saw my art at an auction. Once I saw my painting going for so low, that I bought it back and sold it for 5 times that amount. If you are trying to build a body of work and grow in value, a business should not give away its resources for free. People dont value what they dont pay for. And many people don’t know that there are NO tax benefits when you donate your art. NONE. I can tax deduct my supplies for the art – which I already do through my business, but I do not get to deduct what the painting sells for.
That being said, as a human that cares about good causes, I WANT to help through my talent, so that is how I got into making prints for my art! I donate joyfully and it has led to a second arm of my career – my merchandise, gifts, and prints.
I choose carefully which causes to give more to – whether its taking part in a live painting event or giving a free commission to my kids’ school fundraiser.
I have been a part of several charities that do make it mutually beneficial to those that give by promoting via social media before and after an event. One Gala at which I painted live, allowed the artists to have a gallery wall of their art. If it sold, the artist took home 80% and the other 20% went to the charity. It was a huge Win-Win.
These boundaries and communication allow me to value my craft, give because I feel called to, and to do it with a joyful heart.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I learned a long time ago that instagram followers/numbers do not equal sales. That being said, I am mostly self represented and I wanted a “following” that was more quality than quantity and genuinely felt connected to me and my art. I realized that the people that I enjoy watching on social media were the ones that let me into their lives. The people that I felt like I knew a little bit, so I decided to turn the camera on myself and let people get to know me, my process, my family, home, and life. While it’s gotten easier with practice, promoting myself has always felt icky and selfish. I counter that with humor and promoting others. I never want to project an image of self importance. I LOVE to connect with other artists and share works that move me. I think one day I’d like to run a gallery and represent other artists as well.
I like the “tell, don’t sell” idea of social media promotion. I love when people purchase my art or prints and tell me they love my art and feel “like they know me – which makes it more special”. I cant think of a higher complement.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.sswstudios.com
- Instagram: Sarahsoulewebbstudios
- Facebook: Sarahsoulewebbstudios