We were lucky to catch up with Sierra Lee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sierra, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve known I wanted to be an artist my entire life. I’ve drawn since I was a kid and dabbled with paints here and there but always enjoyed creating for as long as I remember.

Growing up, if you were to ask me what I wanted to be I would have said some version of artist. I always had a pencil around so drawing was my go to. I used to admire beautiful photos in magazines and would try to recreate whatever I saw through drawing. My mom is also creative, so her work in makeup and photography also helped shape my appreciation particularly in fine art.

At one point, I dreamed of drawing for Disney/Pixar which I still smile at from time to time. I remember leaning into realism a lot but always admired drawing techniques that broke the rules of proportions or infused patterns or colors in more creative ways. Eventually I learned that was illustration.

When it came time for it, I ended up pursuing graphic design which is neat because it wasn’t quite what I imagined for myself but it was still creative and challenged me, which I liked. Since I started working ten years ago, I’ve been able to do what I love for a living while being able to support myself and I’m really proud of that.

The only trade off is I wasn’t drawing as much throughout those years and ended up experiencing a lot of burnout. By the end of last year, I ended up making the decision to leave my design job to simply take care of myself and part of that was making space for me to slow down, think freely, and reconnect with myself creatively. So that’s what I focused on.

That period in many ways felt like art therapy. It allowed me to push an invisible ‘reset’ button and focus on something that has always been ingrained in me from the start — art. Within a few short months, it was clear to me that I was going to refocus my attention more on drawing, with design as a sidekick, so that’s what I did. At the beginning of this year, I officially started my own business as an independent artist, which is where I’m at today ☺

Sierra, 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?

Yes, I’m an independent artist and designer living and working in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. I mainly work in illustration but do a little bit of everything from commissions, art licensing, to working one-on-one with clients on design projects.

I think my approach to each project is unique because I’m able to bring an artist’s hand and designer eye to each brief. I love that I’m able to bring creative ideas to the table, while also having the ability to curate, edit, and refine ideas with my background in design.

My capabilities span from art-forward briefs, like editorial or commercial commissions, to more design-forward projects, like illustrations for brands or product packaging, and I think that versatility offers a unique perspective to each project.

Since my business is in its infancy, I’m working to establish strong relationships with my clients and to create work that emphasizes quality while forging a path for future projects that align with my interests in food, travel, sustainability, and even wellness.

I think anyone running their own business can testify it’s not easy and requires constant reminders of ‘why am I doing this?’

Some of those reasons for me are better work/life balance, traveling more, building a community I connect with, creating work I’m proud of, making a positive difference in the world (whether it’s big or small), and to have fun of course!

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

Yes. Supplemental revenue is one of the first things I wanted to focus on when I decided to start my own business. I’m still learning more about it everyday and sometimes it can feel overwhelming but it’s something I’ve dabbled with in the past and saw firsthand how helpful it can be with extra cash flow on the side.

One way I’m doing that is by selling my artwork as prints online through a marketplace for independent artists. I would love to print and ship myself or work with a local printer, so I can control quality and packaging, but I’m not setup for that type of operation yet, so it’s on the list as a future goal.

I also try to stay active on social media and participate in challenges I find through the communities I’m active in, which sometimes have cash awards if you win. This approach has worked for me and is how I became a Minted Artist. My work is also coming soon to Greenvelope, which means I’ll be working with their team on eco-friendly designs that are offered on their website, which ties nicely to my background in graphic design.

I would love to eventually be represented by an illustration agency and expand into art licensing, so these are other outlets I look forward to exploring and growing into as well!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Great question. When I left my last job, I distinctly remember telling myself I had to deprogram some of my design thinking. For me, that simply meant not getting hung on the little details (that no one will likely notice!). Instead, I wanted to practice healthier habits that included noting when I was inspired, practicing creative exercises regularly, and being happy with what I was creating in that particular moment. It’s something I still work on everyday and thankfully, illustration has been a great tool for that☺

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sierralee.studio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sierraleestudio
• Other: Society6: https://www.society6.com/sierraleestudio / Minted Store: https://www.minted.com/store/sierralee

Image Credit

Joanna Tillman (Headshot)