We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Stewart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I feel so lucky to be able to do this! It was a gradual process, and because it was something that I felt so strongly about, I have put so much energy towards making it happen. I think the biggest step I took was to quit my full time job about four years ago. This took alot of courage and a big leap of faith. I think this is still true today; if you are a self employed artist you have to trust that the next job will come, and the next. The other requirement is being able to make financially sound decisions. There may be some down time, so save while you can!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a single mom to a nine year old daughter, Penelope, who inspires me everyday! I am also a free (lance) artist doing my best to create in authenticity to the energies that what to come through in visual form. I like to think that what I do it to create alter pieces to nature. If a client wants to commission me to create something for them what they are usually asking for is to bring in healing energy to their space. Most clients already have a deep connection to the plant world and the medicine it offers and they honor that by commissioning me. I work with the energy of flowers, called flower essences, to create a living portal to the energy field of that flower. This is also what I am creating with the tarot deck I am working on. I am co-creating with the flowers to bring healing energy to the human world and the auric field.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I feel that there couldn’t be a more suitable match for me, job-wise. I need to use my energies to create because its a way of achieving it internally what I deeply need; safety, harmony, peace and order. I may border on OCD at my lowest moments and it carries over into my external environment with needing to have order. I can get really grumpy when its messy.

Being able to create a world of symmetry, structure, order and beauty is the most magical gift I could have asked for. I might even go so far as to say I create so I can receive the gift of this reflected back to me. i believe there is some deep healing in the experience of sitting with a painting i have just finished. It creates a peace within me on so many levels.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Yes absolutely! I think that when commissioning an artist, its really helpful to give them creative freedom. For example, in order to for me to do my best work, I need to know that I can deviate from what may have already been agreed upon. I create from a space of feeling and less from thoughts. If I had to stick to the original plan, many of the magical mistakes would never be able to happen. It is those things that keep the mystery alive for me and in that way, the painting process is a living entity. It requires one to be open, receptive and willing to follow their curiosity. It requires bravery and a willingness to fail. When you ask for something to stick to strict guidelines and don’t give it the permission to grow and evolve, that is what you will get in the end- a rigid thing that lacks life. On the other side of the coin, when you tell an artist what you want, give them the ability to make changes and change directions, you will be pleasantly surprised when you receive a living energetic piece of art. Most of the time, when I begin a painting, I have very little idea of what will happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rattlesnakesandrainbows.com
• Instagram: @rattlesnakesandrainbows @rattlesnakesandrainbowstarot

Image Credits
Steven Hyatt, Photographer at Imaging Arts Printing