Flash Sale of the Year

What to do when your drawers and portfolios are overflowing with original paintings?
You have a flash sale of course! 

ONE DAY ONLY
Friday October 28th
9am - 9pm CST
All original paintings and drawings on www.sarabillustration.com will be hugely marked down!

There's a new chapter in my life coming, and I am pretty certain I will be inspired to make much of it through drawing and painting. I have also been wanting to play with working larger, which will require more room!

So in celebration of the arrival of our son Jaxon (and the crisp cool holiday season! My favorite!), I am holding this ultra rare sale, marking my original art for almost half the price! This is a great way, I hope, for those of you who have been wanting an original piece but haven't been able to afford it, are able to find something that resonates with you and is within your reach.

"Summer"

All of the paintings available demonstrate my progression as an illustrator...

I have original paintings from ten years back when I was still inking my lines with microns because I feared loosing my lines and didn't like getting graphite all over my hand.

All the way through to the most recent, finished just a couple weeks ago. No inked lines but instead using erasable gray pencil, showing more confidence in my values, and creating far more inviting atmospheres that help tell the story.

Each step in the process is vital for the following step. Without experimenting and playing, I would not be where I am today as an illustrator.

"Moon Dance"

Most of my work is small for those little areas of the house that need some magic.

It is very well known that I prefer to work small, usually smaller than 8x10. I enjoy the challenge and quite possibly have always been interested in the miniature (LOVE dollhouses and all things small). Most of the larger works I create are requested commissions, but there will be a range of sizes available at the sale.

From a few of the smallest....

"Lime Pixie" 3 x 2.5 inches

The many in the middle...

"July" 8 x 10 inches

To a couple of the largest....

"Wisdom" 12 x 16 inches

I know each piece has a soul mate, created just for them.

I pray that some of these pieces will find their match tomorrow. It's bittersweet to let go of your creative works. I am always so blessed to see how the work inspires and deeply touches those who purchase it, but then also sad to see them go. Each piece has a story for me, what inspired the imagery and why I created it...yet when I see them sitting in my studio I see a bird caged, waiting to be free and serve as inspiration for another.

I hope tomorrow, on my website http://www.sarabillustration.com/paintings, browsing through the galleries, you find that special piece made just for you. ♥︎

Browse the Galleries, then let me know if any of them speak to you in the comments below.

A Tribe of Three

How exciting to have so much to look forward to!

A new face.
Baby smell.
Cute outfits.
Small toes.
To be needed, ALL. THE. TIME.
Sleep deprived.
Baby shrieks.
Poopie diapers.
Toddler regression.
>_<
I could go on and on.....but that may be TMI.

I have so many mixed emotions about what is to come, but our family has been busy making the most of every moment being together as a tribe of three before there is four. And I can't be more than blessed and thankful!

My art has taken the back seat. Although I have been able to do some drawing here and there, it has been far more minimal than usual. Yet, some chapters in our lives require attention on our relationships than career.

Here is what we've been up to the last couple of months:

In August we traveled to Elgin, IL for the fantastical World of Faeries Festival! This was our first real big family road trip and extended stay. We spent four days there in a hotel and working my shop, Sara B Illustration, in a tent. It was definitely a large learning experience for Brian and I as parents, as a family working a festival together, and the logistics of traveling 6 hours in the car with a toddler.

•  •  •

In September we spent time with good friends playing and working at the Renaissance Festival at Sleepy Hollow in Des Moines, IA. It's a three weekend event that I work selling corsets and dresses for EaGenie's Scots N Knots. I have many friends there that I get to spend ample amounts of time with, including my dad (which I treasure)! Norah also has a blast dressing up and seeing all of the pirates and princesses.

My ladies, Amber on the left, Jess on the right.

Time with Papi (my dad)

•  •  •

In October we ventured to the pumpkin patch at the Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge, IA. I didn't think I could do a day on my feet like this, but I am so glad I did!! We had a blast playing in the corn kernel pool, shopping for pumpkins, eating cider donuts, and feeding goats.

•  •  •

And had a great family dinner night out at the amazing landmark restaurant The Iowa Machine Shed in Clive, IA. This place not only represents all of Iowa in great atmosphere and shopping, but it also has the best comfort food!! It was definitely a treat for all of us. :)

Making Norah feel special, growing our bond with her, and establishing our unit as three has been paramount for us during this waiting period until Jaxon arrives.

•  •  •

As an artist it's challenging to divide myself between parent and creator. 

This in itself has caused bouts of depression for me. I so desperately want to be both at the same time! Keep my house organized, the studio open at all times, painting side by side with my kids, coming up with all kinds of crafts and to dos to share with them. Yet when I think of all that, I freeze and just sit staring at Norah playing puzzles, and do nothing.

Our trials and what appear to be hardships or undesired results can actually help shape and form us for the better if we allow it.

I have learned in the last couple of months that in this crazy artistic life of mine, I have chapters of family, and I have chapters of creating art. For myself it is currently very difficult for me to combine the two. I admire those moms who can with littles running around, keeping some kind of organization and self discipline in their daily routine. I thought I had to be that, but I don't. I can step aside, let God lead my feet, and being willing to do what is called of me every day. One. Day. At. A. Time.

"They're little only once."

I'm told that over and over again. Even by artists I highly admire and are successful. I do not want to make the mistake of regretting my time spent on something that can be done later, and not spending it with my children when they need me most.

It will be hard. It will be a struggle. It will be crazy. It will be WORTH IT.

We may not see the outcome of our hardships right now, but in hindsight we will and have no regrets. ♥︎

How can you relate?
Share in the comments how you manage your time between life and art. 

Book Review - Portrait of the Mermaid

Another amazing and heartfelt review of my mermaid coloring book. I am SO joy filled hearing how much these lovelies are touching people all around the world. 🐳

❤️ ADORE the blue mermaid!!!!

https://thecoloringaddict.com/2016/09/14/book-review-portrait-of-the-mermaid-by-sara-burrier/

Color by Iris Eenmäe (@iriseenmae) http://thecoloringaddict.com

Get your own copy of Portrait of the Mermaid HERE

Art Mom - Sick Toddler

This equals quality craft time at the dining table this morning. I'm working on Christmas ornaments and she's creating playdoh cupcakes. 😊 Making it work. 

An Artist's Faith Statement

"When creating a piece of art, I think first about the movement and emotion of the lines. I dig into how I’m feeling or how I want to share an emotion as I draw.

It doesn’t take long for my faith to intervene and become part of the story. I find it ever so important to share God’s love for women in today’s world of fabricated fantasies and “expectations” of how women are to look or act.

I draw and paint fantastical worlds and imaginary, winged, beautiful women, but their story is one about allowing the light from within, Christ’s love, to shine out of them without barriers or strongholds. I paint how I believe GOD sees His creation.

I want the Lord’s love and protection to be shared with the audience so they feel and understand His presence and joy for them. Much of the fairy fantasy art available to purchase uses dark color palettes and heavy lines to depict their narrative.

To help underline and emote God’s light, I choose to use bright and bold colors, the complementaries of purple and yellow which are soft to the eyes, and always a source of light coming from within or being embraced.

My relationship with Christ has and always will be a very emotional one, and I pour that out into my work for others to see and to experience. Using that moment to transcend what He has given me to give to them through the gift of illustration."

A Valentine's Day Giveaway - Winner Announced!

Congratulations to the winner of the Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Thank you, everyone, for participating. ♥︎

Stay tuned for the St. Patrick's Day Giveaway coming in March! 🍀

. . .

Happy Valentine's Day! I know it was yesterday, but a holiday about Love should last so much longer than one day....how about every day? No? Well, we can start with a week. ;)

Valentine's Day is all about the love we share and feel towards those most important to us. Love is very important to me, to share with others....especially those that I don't know, because everyone needs it. A truth that is always good to share.

Today I want to share something with you, an original drawing...the first original drawing of my Mermaid Portrait series for my upcoming coloring book.

Here's what you need to do to be entered into the Giveaway:

♥︎ Go to my Pinterest page and Follow
♥︎ Pin something you like from my Pinterest page
♥︎ Share here or on my Facebook Page a link to the Pin you liked  

The more you Pin, the more your name is entered!

This will be running through the entire week of Valentine's. Today February 15th through Sunday, February 21st. All entries AFTER midnight February 21st will not make it to the list.

Winner will be announce Monday February 22nd!
winner announced on facebook and here on the blog. winner will also be contacted via message/email

Happy Pinning! ♥︎

Happy Mermaid Monday

Even a cold couldn't keep me away from creating a lovely mermaid for the upcoming book. ♥︎ Feeling the love in the air as Valentine's Day approaches next month.

Original Drawing available here: http://www.sarabillustration.com/#!product/prd4/4453885531/mermaid-portrait-%235

Happy Mermaid Monday!

I have started a new project, Huzzah! I must be crazy. @_@

Every day until I feel I have enough, I am going to draw out a fun mermaid portrait. In the end, there will be enough beautiful mermaids for a pocket coloring book! I know, I'm so excited I just want to hide and draw for days to get it done!

On top of that, each drawing will be available for purchase. She will come matted in white ready for an 8x10 frame. You may visit here ↣ Mermaid Portrait #1 Original ↢ to place your sale.

Here is the first one! 

Mermaid Portrait #1