Meet Sara Franklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Franklin.

Hi Sara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers. 
I always loved creating art as a kid, and I just knew I wanted to be an artist from a very early age. After graduating from CalArts, I started out working as a graphic designer for the music industry and fell in love with painting and illustration along the way. I had this big dream… I wanted to start a greeting card line, so I quit my job and booked a booth for the National Stationery Show in New York. I started designing my greeting card collection and booth display. Going out on my own was the most exciting and terrifying thing I ever did! I absolutely loved it, and I learned so much! 

Eventually, I expanded more into illustration and started working as a freelance illustrator and surface pattern designer. Somewhere along the way, Better Homes & Gardens hired me to be their travel column illustrator, which inspired me to start creating my state map series as a personal project. As a California girl, the first map I created was (of course) California. People started asking me for art prints of different state maps, so I just kept going. I really enjoyed painting all the interesting state symbols in watercolor and have been painting my way (virtually) across the US ever since! 

Now, as a mom and a business owner, I spend my time working on maps, cards, and larger abstract paintings that reflect the beautiful landscapes I find in this city. I love the flexibility of working for myself and getting to create new artwork every day! I’m super passionate about watercolor and all the beauty this medium has to offer. I find it to be extremely fun, relaxing, and meditative. It’s all about experimenting and continuing to explore and create! 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been filled twists and turns along the way, for sure! At one point, my entire living room was filled with greeting cards, and I thought, hmmm… there has to be a better way! Then, once my inventory issues were solved, I think the biggest struggle has been keeping up with shifts in the marketplace while learning new skills and juggling Mom life. I wear all the hats in my business such as customer service, IT support, product research, fulfillment… the list goes on! 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for my colorful watercolor map illustrations, nature-inspired art, and the cute, whimsical characters that you see on my cards. My work has a sense of adventure and bold use of colors that create bite-sized pieces of joy I like to call painted journeys. Whether it’s illustration, abstract art, or surface pattern design, what sets me apart is how I break down complex images into abstract or simplified versions of their forms, creating a sense of escape and playfulness. I focus on the creative process as if I’m conducting an experiment of color, composition, and illustration until I land on a design that reminds me of the free spirit I remember as a child. I’m most proud of taking that leap into the unknown to follow my dream of being an artist and now being able to teach my son how to be creative as well! 

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I love networking through trade shows, taking classes online, joining groups with common interests, having Mom meetups, and having coffee with my local friends! I have found some of the best mentors through talking with other artists or people I have worked with. I love staying in touch with people, and over time, it’s amazing how you can learn so many different things from different people! 

Pricing:

• Greeting cards: $5
• 8×10 Fine Art Print: $42
• 12×16 Fine Art Print: $52
• 18×24 Fine Art Print: $78
• Originals: $100 and up

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sarafranklinart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarafranklinart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarafranklindesign
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sarafranklindesign
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ohrV-VXCUavl_g6Y-bttg
• Other: https://www.paper-loop.com/

Image Credits
Sara Franklin