Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Schools.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been drawn to art. Ever since I was a kid, my sister and I would spend countless hours at the kitchen table working on creative projects. With a mom who’s an interior designer, I like to think I got the creative gene from her.
I studied Graphic Design in the Art Department at Appalachian State University, choosing it as a more “practical” path into the creative world. After graduating, I worked for artist Ruth Chou Simons as her in-house graphic designer. For seven years, I helped turn her paintings into prints and products, and I learned so much from her—both professionally and personally. Ruth is still a close friend and a mentor to me in my artistic journey.
In 2023, I took an intense course called Life\Work Design that helped me reevaluate what I wanted out of my career. I loved my job and working with Ruth, but I realized that if I ever wanted to pursue painting seriously, I needed to free up time to focus on it. The course helped me craft a plan: take on a part-time design role to create stability while spending the rest of my time painting. I found a part-time graphic design job with a wedding stationer in Charleston, South Carolina, and began dedicating my afternoons to developing my art.
That year, I also focused on getting my work in front of the right audience. I applied to vendor at events where I thought my ideal customers might shop, and it truly made a difference. Slowly but surely, I began to gain traction—especially with people reaching out for commissions.
A major turning point came in the spring of 2024, when Common Good Gallery in Boone, NC reached out to ask if I’d be interested in becoming one of their artists. I immediately said yes, and we set a date for my debut show. It was the first time I had created so many paintings on such a tight timeline. It pushed me to my limits, but it also showed me what I was capable of. I painted at a larger scale and faster pace than ever before, working late nights and weekends to meet my goals. I created a detailed schedule for myself and stuck to it.
That summer, I was unexpectedly let go from my part-time job. At the time, it was stressful—but in hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise. Suddenly, I was a full-time artist. It wasn’t the timeline I had planned, but with the show fast approaching, I had no choice but to dive in headfirst. I told myself I’d give it six months—and if it didn’t work out, I could always pivot.
The show debuted at Common Good in late summer 2024, and it went incredibly well. That experience gave me the confidence to believe that I could make this work—that with enough hustle and heart, I could build a sustainable art career.
Since then, my artwork has been picked up by the Charleston Artist Collective, and my prints are now carried by retailers across the country. This past year has been about refining my style and growing into the kind of artist I want to be. Sustainability and environmental conservation have become central to my work, both in subject matter and practice. I’ve made it a priority to reduce single-use plastics in my business—my prints are packaged in compostable sleeves and printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. My notecards come in recycled plastic boxes.
Much of my inspiration comes from the southeastern landscape—the native plants and animals that make this region so unique. I love including local flora and fauna in my work to highlight the beauty of the ecosystems around us.
It’s now been nearly a year since I took the leap into full-time art. It hasn’t always been easy, and it certainly didn’t go exactly as planned—but in so many ways, it’s been better than I imagined. I’m deeply grateful for this past year, and excited for what’s ahead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I left my job with Ruth Chou Simons and started working at a local wedding stationery shop, I didn’t expect such a jarring shift. I went from a role where I felt trusted and confident to one where I constantly felt off balance. The culture was surprisingly toxic—gossip was constant, and there was some dishonesty with clients. I struggled to find my footing, and the pressure for perfection in the wedding industry felt overwhelming. Even though I knew a learning curve was normal, the environment made it hard to grow. It took a toll on me emotionally, and I started questioning myself in ways I never had before.
The one bright spot was a coworker I became close to—she was a total light in a tough season, and I’m still so grateful for her positive presence during such a difficult time.
In early summer 2024, I was let go from that job. Even though I didn’t love it, getting fired still felt like a huge blow to my confidence. I was on a family beach trip when my boss called and told me not to come back. She said she needed someone who cared about stationery the way I cared about art—and weirdly enough, that moment was clarifying. I realized I had one option: give art my full attention and see what I could do with it.
I’d always imagined becoming a full-time artist years down the line, once everything felt safe and secure. But instead, I was thrown into it—way earlier than I planned. And as painful as that experience was, it turned out to be one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. It gave me the push I needed to take myself seriously, set big goals, and really go for it. I never imagined this year would go the way it has, and I’m endlessly grateful for where it’s taken me.
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’m especially drawn to the native flora and fauna of the Southeast. Environmental protection and conservation are causes close to both my husband’s and my heart, and celebrating the beauty of this region through my art has become a personal mission. I love researching native species and weaving them into my work—sometimes hiding wildlife within its natural habitat as a quiet nod to the ecosystems I’m inspired by.
My work ranges from realistic oil paintings to softer, dreamier pieces in watercolor and acrylic. Lately, I’ve been especially drawn to the latter—spending a lot of time experimenting with watercolors and acrylics to create the textures and moods I’m after in unique color palettes.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
This question relates back to the challenges question, I think my answer is the same!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarahschools.com
- Instagram: @Sarah.schools
