This week on Voice of Anchor I am part of Team Alpha and we decided to Break the Bias and not only talk about women empowerment, but also about equality, making money, and making sense about the Creator economy . The next few episodes on the Doctor’s Creative Diary Podcast will make you think and sit up.

Today on the show I have with me letteringgems a.k.a Sara. A dear friend whose lettering and creativity will make you smile. Listen to what she says about growing organically on Instagram, remembering to stay creative, making money, and making sense of the creator economy.

Tell our listeners who you are what you do?

Ans: I’m Sara, I go by the name LetteringGems. I’m a Hand lettering, Calligraphy & Visual Artist. A Creative Designer & an Art Educator.

How did you train yourself to become an artist? Your Back story?

Ans: My first major art project was in grade 11th, when I had the opportunity to design the stage backdrop for our senior’s farewell, the whole stage setup was basically my hand drawn objects and giant hand lettered alphabets. The appreciation gave me lots of confidence. When I started my teaching career I was assigned as an Art Teacher, what started as a profession soon became my passion. The immense love and appreciation I received began the journey where there was no looking back.

What are your top tips for young people who want to be an artist?

Ans: One of my favourite quotes is “Every Child is gifted, they just unwrap their packages at different times” you will find this quote highlighted on my Etsy shop as well, since I am an ardent believer in this, my best tip or advice for youngsters would be Keep challenging your creativity, if you like something, just try it. You never know you’re master in something unless you attempt it.

What do you wish you knew when you started off as a lettering artist?

Ans: My Niche is Art and Lettering, when I started, I didn’t know the basic supplies I should use, it goes for all art mediums. Your art supplies matter a lot. I am not suggesting that you buy high end products heavy on your pockets, instead do proper research, start with the beginner friendly supplies and gradually shift to the artist grade ones.

What about mental health and creativity? What comes first?

Ans: I feel both are interconnected, sometimes it’s art that works as a healing factor to your mental health and sometimes its creativity that sparks emotions, enhances your mood and works as a solution to destress a person. that is one of the reasons why Doctors also recommend taking up creative projects as a therapy to heal.

What do you do daily to stay creative and happy?

Ans: Starting this year I have started journaling by filling up a TODO list for the day, with a priority list to focus on most important stuff to be done during the day. This has helped me stay creative, organised and happy.

What are the different ways artists can make a comfortable living in this digital age?

Ans: We have lots of new Digital platforms now that help in earning online. Varying from print on demand, teaching online or selling your physical or digital products.
You can also earn by offering art workshops and courses or offer your services as Gigs but proper research is mandatory before you invest yourself in these.

How can someone learn from you, take classes, buy your work? Tell us how they can find you online?

Ans: You can find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letteringgems/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/letteringgems/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letteringGems/ and I sell my work in my digital shop at Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/LetteringGemsPortal

For classes and other enquiries, you can connect me on my Instagram.

How do you approach a project /commissioned work sponsorship?

Ans: I love challenging myself and love to explore various mediums and styles. I wholeheartedly take up projects that come my way, even if they’re challenging for me.

Essential points you keep in mind?

Ans: The first and foremost thing is respect, I prefer to work with people who respect what I do and understand the hard work that goes in creating something and once my client, they stay my client always, as it’s a two-way traffic, I respect their demands and give them the best I can.

Please tell us a little about, where you find inspiration, tell us about books, sites, artists.

Ans: My biggest source of inspiration is my surroundings, I draw inspiration from things around me, it can be anything from plants to bedsheets, from magazines to decors, its simply everywhere. Apart from these Pinterest has been a huge source of inspiration for me as well.

Which Artist should I interview next?

Ans: I would have definitely mentioned Thea but since she’s done it already Ill suggest Linda from linda.atrisco.creates and Diana from Prissletters.