Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Edenfield.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I think it all started with books. I remember being at the library a lot as a kid and being able to choose whatever books I wanted was really exciting. But the thing I got most excited about was the art. The illustrations weren’t just pretty pictures, but vehicles for a story and since then it’s all I’ve wanted to do.
A lot of friends, family, and teachers have encouraged me along the way. Now, I’m almost done with a BFA in Illustration and I’ve been able to work on some really cool projects.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making the decision to go into a creative field has been the most uncomfortable thing so far. I can be a nervous person and art doesn’t have much of a reputation for stability. But even some of the most stable careers can fail to bring job security. I think the path that brings you the most sincere joy is the right one.
I have a strong feeling that the greatest challenges are still ahead of me, but now I have a support system to handle them. My family has my back and my husband always gives me the encouragement that I need. I’ve gotten to learn so much from professionals already in the field and my peers always have new tips and tricks to share. The support I’ve found at SCAD makes every challenge so much easier.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I’m a freelance illustrator that focuses on children’s content. I draw a lot of inspiration from nature and the things that make it kind of magical or even silly. I like to use rich, neutral colors and decorative patterns to show how interesting the outdoors really are.
It wasn’t my original goal, but now that my style has lent itself to more to children’s books, I feel like I’m going into a really special and unique market. I don’t know if saying that I’m “proud” of it is quite right, but I’m so excited to be contributing to the same kind of art that inspired me as a kid. Creating fun illustrations that can nourish and grow young minds is incredibly important to me.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It may sound small to most, but finding an artistic style that I really love has been a big milestone for me. To enjoy being an illustrator, you need to find a way to execute your work that makes you excited just thinking about it. And I have been having a lot of fun with my work recently, and I think it really shows in some of my recent mushrooms themed illustrations.
Contact Info:
- Website: edenillustrates.com
- Email: sarag.edenfield@gmail.com
- Instagram: eden.illustrates
Image Credit:
Jon Beavers
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