Meet Sarah Shank of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Shank.

Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Sarah, but many also know me as Sam, I’m currently a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design(SCAD) Atlanta campus for concept design and publication. I’ve had far from a perfect path to lead me here, but I believe it makes my ability to create and design even better than most, the fact that I am a disabled student alone in an extremely competitive industry pushes me to always be ready for the next opportunity.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I was a teen, I was diagnosed with something called Gastroparesis, which essentially means my stomach does not move properly/is paralyzed. This greatly changed my entire perception of the world, landing me in the hospital every 2-3 months, and I would have a feeding tube through my nose for about 5 years, making college hard to navigate with something so temperamental. While Gastroparesis has greatly shaken my world, it never stopped me from creating, even when in the hospital, I recently had multiple abdominal surgeries and finally got a surgical tube placed that will last significantly longer and keep me out of the hospital, giving me more freedom to work and make a name for myself in the creative industry!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in freelance illustration, specifically concept design and illustrations for publication (childrens books). I also do costume design of animals as commissions. I aspire to eventually work at a studio or bigger company as a concept artist, but currently, I do stylized art and costumes that always leave people to be amazed, from realistic to cartoons, my style and work can fit whatever someone is looking for in an illustration. From concept to reality, I work with you every step of the way to make sure it is exactly how you want it.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My costume design work can also be made adaptable for those who are disabled and need access to medical devices(insulin pumps, feeding tubes, etc) because as someone who has struggled to find a place in the cosplay community with most costumes being not accessible, I know how important it is for those of us to be included in the community and express ourselves properly!

Pricing:

• Illustrations- Varies on complexity: $15-60 (not including backgrounds)
• Fursuits- starting at $750
• Costumes-Contact for inquiries
• Children’s illustrations- Contact for inquiries
• Logos/Graphic Design work- Starting at $30

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sprinkleswoof.carrd.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuntdogdesigns?igsh=MXhzd3N1dWRwa2s2Zw== and https://www.instagram.com/pink_pony_willow?igsh=MXBmbHR2bzF0Y3JpZA== for costume works
• Twitter: (Tiktok because I didn’t see one for it) https://www.tiktok.com/@pink_pony_willow?_r=1&_t=ZT-94CUqrNRaQv
• Other: https://stuntdogdesigns.etsy.com

Image Credits
Tails of Hope Service Dogs-personal picture