Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Shugart
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a small town in Tennessee, where church was more than just a Sunday affair; it was a three-times-a-week ritual! Sitting on the wooden pew, I battled the temptation to doze off. instead, I’d grab a pen and draw on the attendance paper with doodles that kept me awake and engaged. That simple act of drawing transformed dull sermons into vibrant moments, and soon I was sneaking better paper and pens into my purse, not just for church but also for school. My teachers thought I was zoning out, but the act of making the marks actually helped me pay closer attention (there are studies that support this now but at the time, I had a hard time convincing my teachers). My classmates knew me as the “doodle queen,” always lost in a world of lines and swirls.
Then came my freshman year of high school, and with it, a game-changer: Shelly Hunter, our dynamic new art teacher from California. She was a breath of fresh air, encouraging me to experiment with all sorts of mediums and techniques. I even arranged my study halls to be back-to-back with her classes, soaking up every moment in her inspiring classroom.
“””””Fast forward to college, where I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology and kicked off a career as a recruiter. On the side, I turned my artwork into greeting cards, which I sold for several years until my son, Cole, was born.
Now, I’m celebrating 20 incredible years with Vaco, a fast-paced recruiting firm that keeps me on my toes. There I manage a dynamic team of sales and recruiting professionals who match talent with local companies. My artwork decorates the office and has been turned into a large scale mural in our lobby. When I come home at night, nothing relaxes me more than picking up my pen and making those repetitive marks until a piece unfolds before me. I’m most inspired these days by the natural word and I always have a drawing in the works, a constant reminder of the joy and peace art brings to my life! “”””
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?
Life threw a curveball at 25 when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. After a challenging year of recovery from surgery, I found solace in drawing like never before, spending hours at the library diving into the works of artists like Aubrey Beardsley, MC Escher, and Erte. During this tough time, drawing became my lifeline–cathartic, meditative, and essential. I honestly believe that art saved my life!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love hiking and kayaking and am most inspired by the incredible beauty and diversity in nature. I use mixed media; typically pencil, ink, watercolor and markers to create extremely detailed and somewhat abstract compositions. In my earlier years, I only used black and white but am now working color into most all of my pieces. Most recently, I’ve been inspired by the sea wrack of the Pacific Northwest with it’s endless colors, textures and patterns. I’m often asked if I use a computer for my work but it is all done by hand and each piece can take weeks to months to finish.
My artwork can be found on my website: www.sandrashugart.com
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Creativity runs in my family! My husband, Wes, is a custom boot maker @musiccityleather. My son, Cole, is 1/2 of the band @thecriticals and my cousin, Bruce Matthews, is the most talented painter I know @brucematthewsart
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandrashugart.com
- Instagram: @sandrashugartworks
