Creativity Over Coffee: Sarah Reddish (Arrow Art Studio)

Happy Wednesday, Friends! I’m so happy to kick off Creativity Over Coffee for 2018 with someone who really inspires me – Sarah Reddish of Arrow Art Studio.

Sarah actually grew up on the South Shore of Boston and I’m good friends with her sister, Chrissy. I met Sarah at Chrissy’s home but we’ve really connected over on Instagram. I’m inspired daily by Sarah’s beautiful artwork and hand lettering. Sarah specializes in hand lettered signs and goods. She actually sent me the nicest care package with a beautifully embellished notebook, pretty cards, and hand lettered sayings. Her work is uplifting and I really feel like she’s an old soul. I’m so happy she’s here today at Creativity Over Coffee to share her story. I think you’ll be just as inspired by her work and her story as I am. Maybe it will get you try a new creative outlet too. So grab you’re coffee (or tea)…

Hi Sarah, thank you so much for joining me here on the blog for Creativity Over Coffee! You are such an amazingly talented artist and calligrapher. Did you know this was always the career you wanted to pursue?

Sarah: I wish!  I have loved art since I was a little kid, but didn’t believe it was a viable career option for me until recently.  To be honest, I didn’t think I had enough natural talent to be an artist.  I ended up majoring in French and Francophone studies with a minor in Art History but it wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I decided to really give art a go.  I got a job as a sign maker at Whole Foods Market and although I didn’t feel like the corporate environment was a good fit for me, it did make me realize that I wanted to spend my days making art.

You are actually from the Boston’s South Shore what inspired your move to California. Do you think either location inspires your work?

Sarah: I spent the majority of my twenties and early thirties as a serial nomad.  I moved to Portland, Oregon sight unseen from Boston, just to try something different.  After 5 years, I headed south to Mexico and on my way back north, I stopped in the Bay Area and became enchanted with the climate.  I’ve been in Napa almost 3 years now and love living in wine country.  As far as inspiration goes, I do believe that all of my experiences offer some sort of influence on my work.  However, as a hand lettering artist my real muse is typography.  Vintage signs, old handwritten letters, French menus, record covers….

I read you studied under Molly Jacques. Can you tell me more what that was like? How did it help your career?

Sarah: The workshop I took with Molly Jacques helped me discover that being a successful creative entrepreneur was a possibility.  She taught me the foundations of modern calligraphy, but more importantly, she showed me that there is room for my work in the world.  I was able to visualize what that might look after learning from her profound ability as a lettering artist and business woman.

When do you feel most creative or happy?  

Sarah: I thrive on close relationships – with my fiancé, my family, a few close friends, and of course my dog Stella.  Being around the people I love, both laughing and crying with them, exploring and also relaxing with them – this is when I feel the happiest.  I also love being outdoors, so anytime I can feel the sun or the rain or the snow or even just a good breeze puts a smile on my face.  If a beach is involved then the smile goes from ear to ear.  When do I feel the most creative?  Usually while everyone else is asleep, either early mornings or late nights.  Almost never right before a big deadline!

What is it about hand lettering you love?  

Sarah: I love the repetitive nature of creating letterforms.  The muscle memory, putting in 10,000 hours – that totally appeals to my compulsive side.  But then the fact that each and every piece of hand lettering is one of a kind keeps my creativity satisfied.  I’m also just a happier person when I’m working with my hands, so making letters without the help of machines correlates with my analog approach.  As a kid, I used to have my friends teach me their handwriting styles so I had a repertoire of 10 or so handmade fonts I used to cycle through.  I guess it’s been a life-long obsession.

Do you have a favorite project or wedding you worked on? Can you share more about it?

Sarah: I have been so fortunate to be a part of many amazing projects.  I put everything I have into my work, so honestly whatever’s currently on my desk could be classified as my favorite.  I do love stepping outside my comfort zone and trying new techniques so a few memorable projects that pushed the envelope would include:

• an order of 250 calligraphed river rocks for a celebrity bride
• writing a company logo in chalk 50 times on the sidewalks of San Francisco
• designing a gig poster for a rock and roll wedding
• working on a 6’ x 8’ leather banner
• making a mandala on a motorcycle helmet
• creating live art for corporate event

You started your studio in 2013. What has the last 4 years been like? Any funny stories? Or challenges to overcome as a business owner / artist?

Sarah: So, so many of both!  The past 4 years has been a wild ride because I have no formal training in art or business, so I’m really figuring things out as I go along.  For every moment of extreme pride and contentment, there have been twice as many filled with the ugly cry. I think the biggest challenge to overcome is self-doubt.  I have a big case of imposter syndrome and I’m also a perfectionist, so I can be pretty hard on myself.  It’s mind over matter, but when I do get into the flow, there’s really nothing like it.  And the support that I receive from my clients, friends, family, and my Instagram community really helps me want to keep at it.

I think we all have a case of imposter syndrome. I know I do.

Who or what inspires you?  

Sarah: Other artists inspire me greatly; Erik Marinovich is almighty.  I had the chance to take a composition workshop with him this past Spring and he’s a great human in addition to a mind- blowing lettering artist.  I’m always referring to vintage type for inspiration as well. I have several books that I’m constantly flipping through, Speedball’s vintage type series, those giant gig poster books, and The Ultimate Penman are go-to’s.  And if I’m in a rut, flipping through my vinyl collection usually gets my creative juices flowing.

Can you tell us more about the area you create in? What’s it like? What are your essentials for hand lettering?  

Sarah: I have a home studio, so I work out of the corner of my living room. Even though my desk area is very organized, I’m busting at the seams with supplies and materials.  I can’t wait for the day that I have a dedicated room to work in!  More often than not, I work at the dining room table and if it’s a large scale project, I head outside into the driveway.  The great thing about what I do is there’s very little overhead.  My essentials are pretty basic – my light table, paper, pens, inks, brushes, and my laptop.  The tools I use the most are probably a Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen for brush lettering, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleedproof White ink, Higgins Eternal black ink, and round brushes in sizes 2, 4, and 6.

You’re pretty active on Instagram. We actually connected over there despite knowing each other through your sister. How has social media impacted your business? How has it impacted your art?

Sarah: I really love the diverse community I’ve found through Instagram.  It’s a great learning tool as well, and it’s exposed me to so many new techniques, materials, and styles.  I’ve definitely gotten work through social media, either directly through the client or through connections I’ve made within my growing circle.  But I think the biggest impact social media has on my business and my art is the connection I’m able to make followers.  Swapping encouraging words, learning about new perspectives, sharing tips and tricks – that helps immensely since I’m doing this alone day in and out.

What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Sarah: I would say the most important thing is perseverance.  You have to get the 10,000 hours in to truly master the muscle memory needed for calligraphy.  It’s essential to learn to push through the mistakes and the fear.  Also, I’d emphasize how important being unique is.  The whole point of making art expressing your voice, your story – no matter what that looks like.

Growing up I was a huge follower of INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO.  At the end of the program, they would ask the interviewee these questions:

1. What is your favorite word? cake
2. What is your least favorite word? millennial
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? I listen to a lot of vinyl, so music.
4. What turns you off? Affluenza, disrespect for our Mother Earth, Le Grand Orange (#45).
5. What is your favorite curse word? I swear too much, usually the F word.
6. What sound or noise do you love?  My dog makes “happy noises” when I snuggle her.  Little grunts and moans and snorts and I can’t get enough.  And typewriters typing.
7. What sound or noise do you hate? I really don’t like the noise of other people chewing.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  I would love to work as an interior designer.
9. What profession would you not like to do?  Anything that involves sitting at a computer all day.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome!

A huge thank you to Sarah for joining me today. Listening to her answers makes me want to get back to my little studio and sit and create. I hope this interview did the same for you! Be sure to follow along with Sarah and Arrow Art Studio:

Arrow Art Studio * Instagram * Yelp * Pinterest

If you’d like more Creativity Over Coffee you can read the full series here

* Photos courtesy of Arrow Art Studio

** This post contains a few affiliate links for products Sarah loves.