Meet Sarah Elizabeth Bash | Artist, designer, fashionista and entrepreneur,

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Elizabeth Bash and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah Elizabeth, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career, because art has always been an intuitive natural process since I was a young child. I remember taking art lessons at age four at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where my mother worked as a curator. The teacher taped large pieces of brown paper to the walls in the classroom, provided tempera paint and many types of paint brushes. We were encouraged to give it a go with our hands, brushes, and paints.
It was so much fun that I looked forward to every Saturday at the museum. Since that experience I continued to scribble, draw illustrate and make mini books

At any early age, museums inspired me. I was determined to get better. I took lessons after school and learned how to illustrate, paint and draw during, middle and high school years.

During my formative school years, I was drawn to visual hands-on learning as opposed to lectures and boring research papers. My journey as an artist continued into college and then when I graduated, got married and had a child. As a stay at home mom my journey was creating picture books for children, as well as teaching illustration classes.
A few years later, I worked as a middle school art teacher for a multicultural world language school that taught Russian and Spanish students. My students were amazingly creative, talented, and enthusiastic about learning. We even created a school mural which was about 10 x 10 feet.

Moreover, simultaneously while teaching, I continued to illustrate and paint on weekends. I sold my art at local vending events in St. Simons Island and Amelia Island. Also worked with plein air painters in the summers in St. Simons Island at the pier from 2019-2022; as a collective group, we sold our paintings. Painting outside for everyone to see. During that time, I was not only painting but I was networking as painting can be a solitary process. However, I was able to socialize with visitors and tourists. Through networking, commissioned to create paintings for many people.

In addition, some of my customers, commissioned me to paint murals in their children’s rooms and living rooms. From that point on my artistic trajectory became my ethos.

Never give up on your dreams, because they can come true.
SBG Designs was my first design company, and I have since changed it to decodreamscape.com. The website is a wonderful connection to the online sales world; the love of artwork, design, home decor and fashion is all there.

In 2024, I created clothing with my designs on them and worked with a few print-on demand companies. However, my husband and I decided to purchase our own printing equipment by the holidays this year to expand the business.

*You can find more information about the business on my website www.decodreamscape.com. We are currently built “The Dreamscape Store” offering clothing and artwork for sale.

Most importantly, I am content that I have a family that has encouraged me to do what I love; especially my husband, Stephen and my daughter Skyler, who is currently studying to be an interior designer.

Thank you Shoutout Atlanta for the opportunity to participate in your intriguing magazine that it covers unique categories that include work and life, lifestyle, tech and culture and unique perspectives. I am truly blessed to be a part of this.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love this question! What sets me apart from other artists and what I am excited about the MOST is my ability to take risks! Being original, following my own path, evolving and doing what comes naturally to me despite what others think of me. “Be yourself, everyone else is taken”. My style is so very different from others especially where I live in a small town where the style is realistic and flat. My style is whimsical, colorful, expressive, and tangible. I also believe that we must use and find our own resources, I like to recycle materials to make something new and contemporary.

What started out as painting on an art museum wall as a child; to illustrating and painting in college, to creating children’s book illustrations in watercolor, having two children’s books published, has evolved into paint pens, sharpies, acrylic paint and brush, art deco paint, mixed media, and collage. Teaching middle school art in Jacksonville, Florida and loving and learning from every minute of it. Life is a challenge; to get to where you want to be, takes precision, knowing what you want, commitment, dedication and persistence.

Currently, I substitute teach to support my art business. I am also a caregiver to a heart patient. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Fine Arts and a Master of Science in Education.

Most endearing was to be a featured gallery artist at Glynn Visual Arts because of my unique style that stands apart from the norm. From the colors that I choose, to the mediums and styles, that flow. I’ve painted on vintage windows, created low relief sculptures with glass pieces, recycled materials and resin. Redesigned furniture painted murals and more.

My latest venue is fashion and being able to put my prints onto clothing! I believe this will grow and evolve into a very lucrative business. My family has encouraged me, my sister is a yoga instructor, and she sells my yoga athletic wear.

The current style that I enjoy most is abstract art. It is so much FUN. In fact, I remember working on a huge canvas in the courtyard in Buckhead, Atlanta where people watched me splashing paint onto a 36″ x 48″ canvas in amazement the end product was outstanding.

Utilizing fluid deco art paint, I have found that the direction and flow of the paint does not need a brush nor direction; I have found abstract is best by spilling the paint, turning the canvas and at times straight out just painting with my hands. People observing seemed to be intrigued by watching the process and they said they loved the painting.

Where I am today professionally, is at an intermediate stage. At my age, I have finally developed the confidence to pursue my dreams and hope that others enjoy my work. I would say that I have done quite well considering all that I do to balance life, work, family and a freelance on and off-line art business.

The challenges that I face are sometimes just the ability to have the time and space to work; be able to get the supplies that I need. I overcome challenges by being around positive people, reading positive quotes every day. For example, I love Louise Hay, and I write positive quotes on post it notes daily.

I want the world to know that nothing is easy in this world and if it is, it is not worth trying for. The challenge is a part of the success, learning what works and does not work, learning from mistakes is what teaches us the most. However, what is most important is to gain the confidence in yourself and be a role model to others. I want the world to know that being empathic, loving, kind and serving others is most important.

Creativity and owning it is my birthright; it is what I was born to do. It is a success to be where I am in life, I am grateful to have an online and off-line art business; to teach myself how to build a website, and participate in various artistic venues and festivals,

My story is real, I am real. My family is my inspiration, my free spirit drives my fire, and motivation. Further, I want to prove to my daughter that she can do anything that she puts her mind to in life, and she be and do whatever she wants to be and do in life, as long as she is truly happy and following her god given path to pursue her creative passion.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Check out the High Museum of Art, beautiful art and a lot of activities for families, The Atlanta Symphony, Atlanta Concerts, the Georgia Sea Aquarium, and Lennox Mall.

Best food places are Amalfi, The Big Ketch, Cheesecake Factory, sweet greens, the farmers markets and for coffee Caribou is the best!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes!! A HUGE shoutout to SHOUTOUT ATLANTA for this opportunity and support!!!!

I am appreciative and grateful for the love and support of community and church members, my family, mentor artists, my former students, and the non-profit organization, the Glynn Art Association. Moreover, a big shoutout to my husband Stephen for his love and support throughout the years as we’ve both grown and changed as well as my artistic style and he is my biggest fan.

In addition, my absolute favorite book is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. The book assists the artistic process through loving and nurturing ways. In fact, my mother got me this book many years ago so thank you, Mom!

I love you all! Many Blessings!!

Website: https://www.decodreamscape.com

Instagram: sarahbashdesigns_

Facebook: Sarah Elizabeth Bash

Other: Fine Art America:
Sarah Bash
1-sarah-bash.pixels.com

Image Credits
Sarah Bash
Stephen Gleason