Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Slack
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I always had an interest in art, but it wasn’t until high school that I really tapped into my potential. My art teacher, Mrs. Laura Tawil, saw my promising work and continued to push and inspire me to keep making art. I still owe so much of what I know today to that little classroom and that amazing teacher. In college, I decided to take some painting classes and ended up pursuing a minor in Studio Art along with my business degree. RAW Artists, an international arts organization, recruited me during my sophomore year at Ohio State to be the youngest participant featured in their Columbus exhibition. This all led to me beginning to sell my work to those around me.
My story really begins with the news that my brother was expecting a baby girl the summer of 2022. My sister-in-law had found some wallpaper she wanted for the baby’s nursery, but it would be too expensive to fill the whole wall. I decided I would try to paint a mural on the wall, inspired by the wallpaper design. It was a large project, but it was exactly the kind of work I love to do. The mural turned out better than I expected, and before I knew it, other people were asking if I could paint something in their homes, too. That’s when I realized there was a real opportunity to turn my passion into a business. With some encouragement from friends and clients, I created an Instagram that turned out to be a game-changer. My work started reaching people beyond my immediate network, and I began getting inquiries from businesses and organizations. It was amazing to see how much people loved watching the process, and the positive feedback has kept me moving forward.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working as an artist is never a smooth road, but that’s part of the spontaneity! I have struggled to make time for my business while working a full-time job. Art is my passion, but it hasn’t been able to pay the bills yet. I have also struggled to charge my clients what my art is actually worth, especially when working with friends and family. It’s difficult to quantify what my art is worth to people that don’t typically work with artists or are unfamiliar with the price point of a custom mural. I am very flexible when invoicing my clients, but always hope they understand just how much planning and effort goes into every piece I make.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I mostly work as a commission artist, specializing in canvas paintings and murals, although I will likely work on any project proposed to me. I have worked on abstract and realistic paintings, home and office murals, designed signage for various events and weddings, logo designs for businesses, drawn tattoos for clients, and even made a few stained-glass windows along the way. More recently, I began dabbling in custom pet portraits, drawn digitally on my iPad. Pet portraits have gained a lot of traction within the animal loving community, giving me a lot of welcome exposure. This led me to join the team as an artist at TheDoodPack, a pet daycare and animal rescue located in Tampa, Florida. I have done a lot of animal paintings for this group, which has helped grow my business significantly.
I am most proud of my mural work because of the large scale and uniqueness of the craft. It is so amazing to watch a blank wall transform into a beautiful piece of art and see the expression on my client’s face at the end result. Nothing is better than a customer giving me creative freedom on a project and having all of their expectations blown away by the finished product.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I always felt I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I played sports, learned to play the piano, and excelled in school, but always had an interest in art. I could be found at any family function drawing with sidewalk chalk, doodling on napkins, or making bracelets with my cousins. I was given so many art supplies as a child, no one should be surprised that I am working as an artist now. With the encouragement of friends and family, teachers and mentors, I have grown into someone I never thought I could be, but I definitely didn’t get here alone. I have to thank my parents for instilling in me the importance of a good work ethic and supporting me in this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://macphersonmural.wixsite.com/sarahslack/blank-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macphersonmural/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@macphersonmuralco?_t=8itfvRb8ovO&_r=1
