Meet Sarah Schlup | Artist | Entrepreneur | Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Schlup and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risks are terrifying, but worth the bravery. Choosing a creative career itself can be a risk. It’s not like your normal job, where you show up, clock in, and clock out. Being an artist means I put my heart on my sleeve. I am directly inspired by personal experiences, emotions, and thoughts, so when I create, I am leaving myself in the artwork. I’m constantly thinking about the work, to the detriment of my work-life balance sometimes.

In that sense, it could be easy to feel overwhelmed quickly (believe me, I completely understand!). However, in the spirit of adventure, I choose to see this decision of leading a creative career as exciting and invigorating! I chose this life for the flexibility and freedom to create my life as I want. I have always know I wanted to practice art every day. I have always worked better following my own schedule, so I knew I wanted to set my own hours. I also love being the creative director for my business. I looove making all of the creative decisions. Being an artist allows me to create my own world, my own utopia, through creative expression.

Taking the risk to share myself with my audience has been the most rewarding experience. Art, and expression, are innately human, so this raw expression becomes a conversation between artist and viewer. There is always the chance people won’t respond to your work, but when they do, it’s amazing. It is always worth the risk.

It feels risky applying for opportunities that expose you to a bigger audience, especially when your work feels so personal, but when the right people connect with your work, the feeling of reciprocity is worth it! I was incredibly nervous when I applied to be an artist at Scribble, the Columbus Art Festival’s mini mural festival. I honestly did not think I would get in. When I did, I was so pleasantly surprised! Imagine my combination of delight and horror! One of my favorite moments of 2023 was when a stranger told me she “saw herself” in my Scribble painting, a scene of friends at a dinner table in a local pub. Making this connection reaffirmed why I chose the risk of leading a creative life.

I think when you are afraid of taking a risk, that is the sign it is worth it. Often, fear and excitement feel the same anyways. And after-all, the worst thing that can happen is someone tells you no, or your life stays the same as it was before you asked. The answer will always be no if you never ask, and if you never try new things, well, you won’t go anywhere new! You only live once. Take the risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the arts. I am trained in illustrative design and fine arts (painting and printmaking focused) from the Columbus College of Art & Design. I specialize in creating botanical portrait and figure paintings. My figures experience the beauty of nature alongside our modern pop culture. My favorite projects include mural paintings, surface illustrations for fashion, and custom creations for clients ranging from graphic designs to family portraits. I love a challenge. In my personal creations, my figures are dreamy, ethereal, and moody. Sometimes even statue-esque, dissociating while bearing witness to their always changing realities. I like placing these characters in surreal environments that represent more of a state of mind versus a real physical location.

This can make a funny juxtaposition within my portfolio – I’m also a big fan of plein air portraits (still life paintings of landscapes while outdoors. Often on site and spontaneous!) My landscape paintings are often representational in technique. I am excited to experiment with the possibilities of adding abstract themes as I develop my body of work this year.

I think I’ve finally found “a style”, but this journey has been everything but easy. When I began studying art in college, I entered a period of my life marked with multiple personal and family tragedies. My grief was unmanageable some days. My mental health plummeted. Up until this point, my work had always been a celebration of the beautiful aspects of life. I had no language to even begin translating these horrible feelings into artwork. A lot of journaling, sketchbooking, experimenting, and soul searching later, I am ready to make work that explores the complex feelings of grief and stress I, and many other young people, learn to survive.

I am excited to be developing an upcoming body of work that explores the socioeconomic factors young people navigate in the 21st century, inspired by my own experiences, memories, friendships, and journal entries. I hope this work will lead to healing, build community and conversation among viewers, and eventually lead to practical solutions for real-world problems.

I hope my story of perseverance inspires hope in others, especially young people who may have grown up similarly to me. If you believe in yourself, I know you can accomplish anything. We are more often than not our own worst critic. When we have imposter syndrome, depression, or even suicidal thoughts, we *have* to build systems to break ourselves from these cycles. You must show yourself compassion, even in a world that isn’t always the best at doing that. I know it is way easier said than done, but I want you to know it gets better. You can do it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man, I love my friends, and I love food. My favorite pastime is trying new places to eat, drink, or hang out in the city, so send me your recommendations too!

First thing’s first – you need a good cup of coffee in the morning. My favorites are The Roosevelt, Upper Cup, Global Gallery, and Fox in the Snow (try their cinnamon rolls!) For lunch, my absolute favorite treat is Rishi Sushi on third street in downtown! Other favorites of mine are The Olde Oak on Parsons, Tiger + Lily on Gay St, or Aladdin’s on High St. If it’s June, you absolutely know we’re hitting Community Festival! If it’s the third Friday of the month, we’re exploring Franklinton’s art district during Franklinton Friday! Other places I’ve taken my friends are the Columbus Art Museum (free on Sundays!), the Topiary Garden, the Cbus Rose Garden, or Hayden Falls. I enjoy being outside in nature, so I’m happy walking around exploring some of Columbus’ historic neighborhoods. You have to take a walk down Franklin St. in Olde Town East for the historic home architecture, or take a stroll through German Village (especially stop by the Book Loft.) At the end of a long day, the perfect way to top off the evening is with a slice of pizza from Mikey’s Late Night Slice.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
You are so correct – I would not be here today without the support, mentorship, love, and encouragement of my community. I owe my success to an entire interconnected web of loved ones, friends, mentors, peers, coworkers, and even random, kind strangers who have shared a kind word with me. I would especially like to thank my most amazing partner, my mother with her unwavering kindness, and my sisters for learning everything before me so I don’t have to. I would also like to thank the anonymous professor who connected me with mental health services while I was in some of my darkest days at school. I may never have the chance to thank you personally, but your act of kindness set me on a path of healing. Thank you.

I would also like to recognize the role Wild Goose Creative has played in shaping my career as a creative professional. Wild Goose Creative (WGC) is a nonprofit community arts organization whose mission is to build a creative community at the intersection of art, risk, and meaning. WGC has given me confidence, resources, opportunities, and I have even shown my work in their gallery exhibitions.

My “wild” journey began in 2015 when I attended a Business of Art event centered on networking. I made some of my first business connections there that I still have today nine years later. Let’s fast forward to winter 2021, when I am scheduling my last college elective. For a couple days on my way to my job as a barista, I had seen a flier for a class called “Arts Management”, taught by Lydia Simon. I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, and I had taken business classes in the past, so I thought this merging of arts and business would be interesting and applicable to the “real world”.
The class immediately lit a fire in my belly. The combination of art, law, and public policy was “everything I had been missing” in my educational career. After the class came to completion, Lydia suggested I apply to be a mentee in WGC’s “Artist Incubator” program.

The Artists Incubator program is a mentorship program, run by WGC, open to artists (18+) from all disciplines and provided free of charge to accepted participants. Artists are provided one-on-one support with a mentor, professional development workshops, and the opportunity to exhibit work during Franklinton Friday. This program kickstarted my career. I am so blessed and thankful to have applied and then paired with my mentor Karen Albanese Campbell (an amazing artist who deserves her own appreciation post for another day!) In 2022, the incubator had a grant writing competition. With Karen’s support, my grant proposal won! I was so thrilled and humbled. As part of my proposal, the funds from this grant allowed me to acquire new supplies to develop my upcoming body of artwork for my very first solo show! I will be announcing more details soon 😉

Alongside being a full time artist, for the part year I have been honored to serve as WGC’s Marketing and Gallery Operations Intern. Being their intern has shown me how a nonprofit and art gallery operate behind the scenes, as well as connected me with amazing local artists and experiences I used to dream of. When the Artists Incubator rolled around again, Sarah Barr, our executive director, encouraged me to apply again – this time as a mentor!

Initially I was uneasy – Was I ready to be a mentor? I decided to go ahead and apply – I was thrilled when I was paired with the amazing emerging illustrator – Hanna Smith! Working with Hanna brought refreshing perspectives to my artistic practice. Since I was in the program, as well as an intern, I was uniquely able to provide additional support when it came to installing our end-of-program exhibition.

Working with WGC has provided me countless opportunities that I am so thankful for. Without them, I would be a very different artist. I have gained confidence as a creative professional, created an amazing community, and learned many skills, one of the most being the ability to actively listen to artists. I know moving forward, WGC will continue to support my artistic endeavors, as well as our artist’s community at large. Thank you WGC for all that you do!

Website: https://schlupdawgdraws.squarespace.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noanimalbones

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-schlup-53a0521b7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noanimalbones

Other: Society6: https://society6.com/noanimalbones/designs Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sarahschlup