Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Stanley.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Sarah Stanley — a self-taught, emerging, multidisciplinary artist. I’m the proud mom of a beautiful, blind, black cat and a tornado of a young, spotty pitbull. We all live in Ferndale with my partner, Ethan. I use acrylics, watercolors, inks, canvasses, and a recycled materials to create my artwork. I try to use these supplies to help evoke emotions and tell stories. I love giving old, damaged, or threadbare materials a second life as art and saving them from the landfill.
I’ve played with and dabbled in art for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I spent hours crafting, drawing, and painting in my room. I’ve always enjoyed art museums and being surrounded by beautiful things. As an adult working full time, I’ve had less time to devote to art. One way I stayed connected to art was by handmaking all holiday, thank you, and birthday cards. After college, a lot of friends and family lived in different parts of the country and I wanted to stay connected to them with something meaningful and homemade. I also had student loans at the time, so making cards was cheaper than buying them!
I studied business, Spanish, and English in college but have spent my career as a writer in some capacity. I’ve worked in many industries, including mining, automotive, energy, and in the nonprofit sector. As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve taken on more responsibilities and, at a certain point a few years ago, started feeling more stress. So, I spent more time painting and drawing to relieve that stress. I had empty walls that I filled up with whimsical animals and abstract shapes and soon took over most of my basement for an art “studio.”
Recently I decided that my art isn’t just a hobby or a stress reliever — it’s a core part of my identity and how I want to fill my free hours. I started regularly attending the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, applying to local shows, and I even ordered art business cards. I take great pride in now calling myself an emerging artist.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I just started — I’ve only been taking myself seriously as an artist for fewer than six months. That being said, it’s been relatively smooth. The hardest part was believing in myself and taking that first step forward. I’ve been making art for myself, gifting art to friends and family, and making my homemade cards for years. However, it wasn’t until very recently that I decided maybe this could be more than a hobby or a way to relax. In August, I saw a local gallery was accepting submissions for a show. It was a Halloween-esque exhibition and I was really drawn to the theme (I‘m a Scorpio and a Halloween baby). I had created two pieces several years ago that I thought would be a perfect fit. I didn’t tell anyone, applied, and got in! From there, I started applying to more shows and really taking myself seriously as an emerging artist.
I’m still figuring out how to make this venture lucrative, but as soon as I believed in myself, doors started opening.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I primarily work in acrylics on canvas or wood and with watercolor on paper. I dabble in other media, but those are my specialties. I love learning new techniques and styles and am inspired by a lot of things. It’s hard for me to say what I specialize in because I have so much fun with so many different things!
As a cat and dog mummy, I paint my “kids” a lot. When my senior kitty, Buzz, went over the rainbow bridge at the end of 2023, painting a watercolor of him helped me process the grief. I didn’t realize at the time that that would become a bit of a niche for me. I painted a watercolor of Ethan’s parents’ dog several years ago in the form of a thank you card. A relative of theirs saw it recently and immediately wanted one for a friend whose beloved dog had passed away. She asked me if I could paint the dog as a memorial gift for the owner. From there, I’ve painted several beloved pets. They make really special gifts and I love capturing special moments of both living and remembered pets. Long story short, it’s not all that I do but I’m somewhat known for my pet portraits.
I’m proud of all my paintings. I come to a point where I’m insanely proud of every new work I create. That’s when I know it’s done. I can’t stop looking at it and taking pictures of it and telling people about it. I’m sure it’s annoying for all the people around me! Right now, I’m most proud of a work I named, “We love a Keith Haring LEGO.” That’s the most recent work I completed. Next week, I’d probably have a different answer for you. All my creations are like my kids that I’m insanely proud of.
What sets me apart from others? I take great pride in my eyes. I spend more time painting eyes than any other part of a person or animal portrait. I think I do a great job of capturing individuality through eyes and creating life on a canvas or page. I also try to make sure my sense of whimsy makes its way onto each work. I paint a lot of different subjects and use a variety of media. No matter, what my tools are or what my piece is trying to say, they all show that sense of whimsy that’s a core of who I am as a person and an artist.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m so thankful for my partner, Ethan. He deserves an insane amount of credit. He has encouraged me every step of the way. Moreover, he’s sacrificed a ton of his own time and energy, so I can dedicate time to creating art, apply to shows, and spend time with other emerging artists. I can’t work full time, paint as much as I want, keep the animals happy and healthy, cook meals, and keep the house clean. He takes so many burdens off, so I get to follow my passions. He also comes up with brilliant ideas that then turn into beautiful art. I love the way he sees the world and I’m always excited for his suggestions for new pieces.
Ethan and I love attending art shows together and meeting local artists and small business owners. He’s always down to go to a show or an opening. This has introduced me to dozens of amazing people and countless inspirations. Without his encouragement and support, I’m not sure if I would ever have taken that first step. I’m so grateful for him and his belief in me and my art. He’s my loudest cheerleader.
I’m also thankful for my friend, Debbie La Pratt. Ethan and I met Debbie in 2022 at Royal Oak’s Arts, Beats, & Eats. Ethan was immediately enchanted by her style of clay work and we ended up bringing home an English D of hers. After that, we started seeing her regularly at local art shows and more often than not came home with a new piece. We visited her at home once or twice to pick up special pieces for upcoming birthdays and holidays. One day at a show, she mentioned she was moving soon. Ethan immediately volunteered to help her. We spent a few sweaty hours talking and moving things, and from there we became actual friends. Toward the end of last year, Debbie invited me to attend the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, which has been invaluable for my art and my relationship with art and other emerging artists. Her support encouraged me to get out of my shell and see myself as a real artist and not a hobbyist with a paintbrush. I’m so grateful to know her.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahstanleypaints/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstanleycreates
