We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Vanasse Miles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Sarah, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
My Audible subscription. When you’re a business owner, you need to make every second count. I can’t be reading a physical book while I paint so I put on my audiobooks and can listen while I produce. It’s awesome.
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?
I was about 23 when I really started painting. I had recently moved to Denver, CO and was away from all my social system to start a grad school. My classes deeply emphasized deconstructive philosophy. All of these factors made my life feel like a blank canvas. My first several paintings were about peaceful and confident confrontations with the painful process of self-renaissance.
I am primarily an oil painter. I draw too but any medium outside oil is meant to fortify my artistic skills. Out of respect for the craft of oil painting, I care deeply that my skill level is constantly increasing and pushing me out of my comfort zone. I think it’s valuable to revitalize and preserve traditional practices. That’s why you’ll see classical subject matter and techniques in my work along with the contemporary.
I strive to provide an experience for people to find themselves through art. No matter what stage of life, art can help you elevate your mindset. I ship artwork prints to college dorms so young adults can establish their independent style; I supply stationary for the handwritten-letter-lover that seeks to inspire their reader. I deliver to homes and businesses to create a place for viewers to meditate and transcend. Art leads to self-knowledge and knowledge of others. My work is the conversation starter at dinner parties, the new investment you can’t wait to show your friends, it also serves as the cozy reminder that you’re where you belong.
Every purchase of my work directly supports my ability to continue making. I’m not a bot, AI, or a massive corporation. I’m a small business owner that feeds her family and saves for retirement through art sales. I have held each piece, whether big original painting or small print, and set the intention of building community with each sale.
I’m proud of my body of work and even more proud of its dispersal throughout the U.S. I still have original works available in my inventory from over the past 5 years and more new paintings in production than ever. I share new pieces on my social media every week. My online shop is stuffed with original pieces and reproductions at every price point.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
On February 22, 2022 my husband, Micah, and I agreed that it was time for me to pursue art full time. It was an incredibly scary time financially. I forfeited my full time corporate income and I had to invest financially in my business with very little initial revenue opportunity. We left the Twin Cities where we had called home for years. We said goodbye to our friends and way of life and moved to the middle of nowhere. It was only in my parents’ basement that we could afford to live with me being an artist. We spent over a year living very minimally so I could manifest my inventory. I struggled a lot with emotions like shame, regret, embarrassment, and fear. I still struggle with fear. But I stayed firm for my art. Today my business has quintupled in size and reach. I’m happy to report I’m no longer a resident of my parents’ basement.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
When you see a piece of art you love: buy it. If you can’t afford the original: buy the print. It feeds you in a different way than the sale feeds the artist. You’ll only know what I mean once you try it. It’s a personal revolution you can’t find anywhere else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarahvanassemiles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahvanassemiles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahvanassemiles/
- Other: Pinterest: https://pin.it/v6DbkUJ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahvanasse?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc