Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Mangalapalli.
Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Art is my second career. I began painting in high school, but decided art wasn’t a prudent career choice. So I went to college and graduate school and painted as a hobby/side-hustle alongside a 20-year career in leadership consulting and executive coaching. My consulting career was challenging and demanding, and I was good at it. Even as I started a family in 2014, I was determined to stay on an ambitious growth path and prove that I am more than “just a mom.” By 2018 I had four children and felt absolutely depleted. No aspect of my life was thriving; I was giving all of myself just to keep my career and my family functioning. When the covid-19 pandemic turned our world upside-down, the slower pace and the isolation provided an opportunity to reevaluate my values and priorities. I am not built to be a stay-at-home-mom, and yet I need flexibility to meet the demands of my young family. I need to do work that I find meaningful and fulfilling, butI don’t need to be striving for one promotion after another (nothing like a pandemic to put life in perspective!). I need to contribute financially to my family, and yet my success to date allows me to take a risk and start over. With soul-searching and unconditional support from my partner, I decided to leave my first career behind and pursue my long-time dream of working as a professional artist. I have spent the last six years transforming my hobby into my profession and building a business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been slow and steady—starting a business definitely requires a lot of stamina. I’d say the hardest part for me is the selling. I want the work to speak for itself and I find it hard to promote myself. It’s also been a little bit challenging to find the collectors who are looking for work like mine. My artwork is well-suited for a variety of decor styles, but probably not for the lover of an all-white or ultra-traditional style. My collectors are typically fun, expressive, and maybe a little bit sentimental.
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 create colorful abstract paintings honoring traditional “women’s work” with a modern, empowered twist. The patterns in my art are inspired by traditional textiles and quilts. They are geometric, textural, and lively. I whole-heartedly believe in the sophistication of cheerful, accessible art (think “dopamine aesthetic”). Through my art, I appreciate the comfort of pattern, ritual, and order AND I celebrate the delight and joy to be found in messy, gritty deviations from the expected.
Each of my paintings begins with a collage background made of vintage and found materials. This layer peeks through the final work, making each piece like a Hidden Picture game to delight you for years to come. People are often charmed to discover how textural and “touchable” my paintings are, like an actual quilt. What truly delights me are the details and surprises in ordinary things, and so my work is loaded with details and surprises!
I sell fine art paintings independently, through shows, and at local fine art festivals. My studio is located in Milton, Georgia (a semi-rural suburb north of Atlanta) and is open for viewings by appointment; I ship for collectors who are not local. I also paint interior/exterior murals and community art projects, and custom commissioned artwork.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up here in Milton and my childhood dream was to be an artist. I envisioned myself working in paint-dappled overalls in a cozy, messy studio with my pet pig! It wasn’t until I was 37 years old, but I’m so proud to say my dream did come true. My young self would be absolutely delighted to see my life today.
I now live on a sweet little farm in Milton with my incredible husband, our four lively young children, and our beloved dog. We also have 2 barn cats, 4 goats, 2 donkeys, and 16 hens on our farm (no pigs, yet)! I’ve just renovated a dedicated studio space where I can work freely and even host workshops and events on the farm. When I’m not painting, momming, or farming, I love cooking, baking, and decorating our home. I’m addicted to houseplants, audiobooks, and ice cream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahmangalapalliart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmangalapalliart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahmangalapalliart
