Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Flinn.
Sarah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up I always wanted to be a vet. But, the more I grew and learned, I discovered that I am actually really bad at math and not that great at science so becoming a vet just wasn’t in the cards for me. I always liked art and realized that it was the only thing I liked and was actually pretty good at.
I majored in painting in college and while there I discovered that I never wanted to paint on canvas and only wanted to paint on wood. I didn’t really understand a lot about wood or woodworking while in school, but I knew that I loved the way the paint absorbed into the wood and the way the grain added its own element. I figured out a lot since then, including different painting techniques, finishes, and different wood species that I enjoy painting on more than others. Painting, art, and woodworking are all things that I can continue to learn about and I think that’s why I have been able to maintain my focus for this long.
Currently, I am working as a full-time artist with the occasional scenic job here and there. I show my work at different festivals around Atlanta and make custom work for clients.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The path hasn’t been necessarily smooth. I’ve been a full-time artist, then a scenic artist full-time when I couldn’t make ends meet, then a full-time artist when I couldn’t handle not making my own work, and now it’s mostly my art and a little scenic art. Being a full-time artist is hard work and long hours. At this point, I feel like I finally have it figured out and how to get by.
I think my advice for anyone just starting out would be to stay positive and not speak poorly of other artists and their work. Being a kind person will always help you. You are selling yourself after all.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into In Like Flinn Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a painter. I use acrylics, inks and aniline dyes on reclaimed hardwoods and tree slices. I primarily paint animals, nature, and the occasional strange person. For me, the technique is my favorite part of painting. I love using the skills I have gained over the years working in different scenic shops and with hardwood flooring. Learning different faux finishing techniques has been really useful in my actual paintings and knowing all of their different ways to finish a painting is great. I think my paintings started having really pretty finishes and looks to them after I started in flooring and got to understand the science behind all the different finishes.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I am not huge into apps, but I do like Instagram. It houses so many wonderful and inspirational artists. I can see work on there that I probably never would have seen otherwise. It’s also one of the only ways I promote my own work. I have a couple books that I found at a gas station in Florida that I look at all the time. They are full of images and information about North American wildlife and plants.
Pricing:
- Pet Portraits: $50-$400
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahflinn.com
- Email: inlikeflinnstudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/inlikeflinn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahFlinnArt
Image Credit:
Sarah Flinn and Deke Spears
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