Editors Note First and foremost, the creatives and artists in Sacramento are undeniably the heart and soul of all the colorful creative energy throughout Sacramento— thank you for giving our community fresh life, during these trying and unpredictable times—you all are truly appreciated. As a new face in the creative arts community in Sacramento, CA—two things instantly caught my attention. First, these creative starseeds are the most eccentric and extraordinary individuals I’ve been blessed to connect with. Second, Sacramento creatives and artists all have their own unique swag, they march to
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Eddie Walker Founder
the beat of their own drum— but even more interesting— these artists all have a radiating sense of self that is liberating. They are 100% free spirited—never waiting and always creating. I am not gifted with a paint brush, but I am gifted with a camera and pen. So as an addition to the creative community—I aim to use my skills and this digital magazine, to effectively introduce 916 arts to broader markets across the US and vice versa. You too can help support our local creatives — and be a part of this expansion mission. Subscribe for future issues at https:// studiolab.tech.
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Content
11 The What Effect!? By Eddie Walker
13 It’s blooming season for lady sadie Sadie Dunaway
01 What a Pretty Little Picnic! Amy Zhang
04 Row v. Wade The Aftermath By Eddie Walker
05 Mural Mural on the wall-who is the fairest of them all Uli Smith
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The Impact of Nelson Mandela
The Art of Barbaring
By Eddie Walker
Jeffrey Phelps
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Pretty Lil Picnic!
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tunning, luxurious, and flat-out flawless. Pretty Lil picnic is easily one of the most beautifully esthetic businesses making waves throughout the Sacramento region. The brilliant woman behind Pretty Lil Picnic’s delicacy, is 28-year-old, Amy Zhang—a zealous she-ro on a mission. Amy grew up in Union City, CA and attended UC Davis. Amy has lived in Sacramento for the past 5 years. Before living in Sacramento, Amy lived in Washington DC, and even Ghana, West Africa. Interestingly enough Amy is not only a creative entrepreneur, but a dog mom, musician, self-taught carpenter, and professional. Utilizing her degree in psychology to secure an esteemed career. “During the day, I am in management for the government working in racial health equity.” Says Amy. The ambition and hustle in Amy is hands down astonishing, but read on to see just how brilliant and driven this She-E-O is. Eddie: Tell me a little about yourself Amy: Hi! My name is Amy Zhang! I am 28 years old, and a first generation Chinese American. I grew up in Union City in the Bay Area. I moved to Sacramento 5 years ago after spending some time in DC and in Ghana, West Africa. During the day, I am in management for the government working
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in racial health equity. I enjoy watching improv and stand-up comedy shows, hosting dinner parties, and exploring new cities. I have a shih-tzu named Dofu (Chinese for Tofu) who accompanies on some picnics. Who or what inspired you to be an entrepreneur? Amy: There’s so many things that I want to do that I haven’t done yet. I have always wanted
I WANT PEOPLE TO BE INSPIRED TO EITHER START THEIR OWN BUSINESS OR PICK UP A HOBBY THAT THEY’VE BEEN WANTING TO DO FOR A LONG TIME. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW SOMETHING IS UNTIL YOU TRY IT OUT.
to be a wedding planner and during the pandemic, I taught myself wood working and renovated parts of my house. I am hustling now so I can build generational wealth, have passive income, take care of my family, and retire early. Being an entrepreneur allows me to reach my long-term goals. Is this something you’ve always wanted to do? Amy: I have never thought I would be a luxury picnic planner! This was not even a concept until the pandemic started. I am so happy with where I’m at though, because luxury picnics is truly the culmination of all my interests (interior design, wood working, catering, and event planning), and it also allowed me to express my creativity. I think if you can profit off of a hobby, that is the best of both worlds. What’s the best part of operating your business? Amy: My favorite part is creating beautiful moments for my clients. There have been so many surprise picnics and picnic proposals. Seeing everyone’s’ reaction, and knowing I was apart of creating that is very touching. I also met so many small business owners, including other luxury picnic planners! The small business community is so rich of knowledge, and we are all here to support each other and build each other up. It’s quite a beautiful thing. What’s the biggest misconception people have about your business? Amy: The biggest misconception is how “expensive” this service is. I haven’t adjusted for inflation yet, but you probably noticed that costs are up everywhere! Each picnic also takes hours of planning. There is a lot of driving to purchase materials and to get to parks. My coordinators and I are hauling heavy wooden tables and 8 ft wooden teepees through uneven terrain in the
100-degree heat! Setting up a picnic is an insane full body workout. Nonetheless, the outcomes are 100% worth it! What’s a unique feature about your business that you want people to know? Amy: Pretty Lil Picnic started off with only luxury picnics, but we have now expanded to do weddings, balloon backdrops,
tablescapes, and event decor! You just have to take it one step at a time. I focused on picnics first, and once that was streamlined, I dabbled into other fields that I wanted to get into, especially since picnics are seasonal. What piece of advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business? 2
Amy: You just have to do it! I was dwelling on this luxury picnic idea for a month, and was constantly rambling about it, but not taking any action. I was always thinking of “what if” and once I finally took the first step, that really got things going. It is extremely overwhelming at first, and you are building the plane as you are flying it. I knew nothing about business, but YouTube University provided a good foundation to start off with! The amount you learn by just doing is astronomical. How do you take care of your mental health when you start to feel burned out? Amy: With my 9-5, teaching piano on the side, and Pretty Lil Picnic, there isn’t much time in 3
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the day! I found myself 24/7. I have to remind myself to take a break and not overwork myself because health is wealth! I am extremely grateful and lucky for the support system that I have in Sacramento. My friends are so supportive and are always there for me in times of need! I also learned to hire out and expand the team with some amazing coordinators! You can do so much more together than alone! What impact do you want your business to have on your customers? Amy: I want people to be inspired to either start their own business or pick up a hobby that they’ve been wanting to do for a long time. You never know how
something is until you try it out, and if something isn’t for you, you can always switch it up to something that is a better fit! Anything else you would like to add? Amy: Thank you for this amazing opportunity to support and share about Pretty Lil Picnic. Please share about Pretty Lil Picnic with your friends and family. So much of supporting small businesses is getting the word out and sharing on social media, which is a powerful tool! I can’t wait to see where will be in year 2!!
@prettylilpicnic www.prettylilpicnic.com
Roe v. Wade THE AFTERMATH BY EDDIE WALKER
On Friday, June 24th, 2022, the once sealed deal—Roe v. Wade was overturned. After 49 years of women having the constitutional right to abortion, that right has been stripped away by the Supreme Court. Abortions are no longer legal in certain states and each state has the power to regulate its abortion laws. 7 states have banned abortions, and several others will soon be following suit.
Status of the states In the states that have bans in place, performing an abortion or seeking an abortion is a federal crime and punishable by imprisonment and/ or fines. Women that reside in states where abortion is banned, will have to travel to states where the procedure is still legal—President Biden has said these women will be protected by the federal government. In California, abortions are still legal. Governor Gavin Newsome recently signed bill AB 1666 and tweeted, “Abortion is legal in California. It will remain that way. I just signed a bill that makes our state a safe haven for women across the nation. We will not cooperate with any states that attempt to prosecute women for receiving or providing reproductive care.” On July 2nd, 2022, President Joe Biden also tweeted,
“The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade will upend the lives and impact the health of millions of women. As I’ve said, this isn’t over. In addition to my actions to protect women’s right to travel for care and access FDA-approved medication, these Governors are stepping up:” Google is also working on expunging all data and records from its location’s software, that could be used to persecute women who visit an abortion clinic.
Common post Roe v. Wade advice for women is to delete all period tracking apps, have protected sex, and if available purchase plan b. Ultimately, we are all in this together. Us men need to be present and have candid conversations about how we can be of support during these weary times, which will inevitably affect us all.
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Mural Mural on the wall WHO’S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL . 30-year-old Bay Area native from San Francisco, CA—is now a full-time Sacramento muralist, her name is Uli Smith.
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next morning from a woman who wanted a mural. It was like a huge relief, and I definitely took it as a sign that I’m on the right path.” Says Uli.
Uli recently took a huge leap of faith and decided to become a full-time artist, liberating herself from her 9-5 to pursue her passion for painting. Uli is now 100% committed to creating murals that have a positive impact on the public.
As Uli embarks on her new journey, she no longer wakes up reacting to her daily responsibilities. Uli now has complete control over her daily routine and is creating her own path-- which has never been clearer.
“It’s been a whole month since I quit my 9-5! I got home after giving my 2-week notice and was honestly freaking out a bit. Then, no joke, got an email the
Read her interview to gain further insights on upcoming events, current motivations, and future aspirations.
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING, GO FOR IT. PAINT THE WALL, APPLY FOR THE THING, ASK FOR THE HELP, AND IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN, YOU WILL. Eddie: Tell me about yourself Uli: I am a Sacramento-based artist who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m 30 years old, Portuguese and Mexican, and I have two dogs named Jack and Renny. Aside from painting, my favorite activities include tending to my houseplants, being in nature and traveling. Some other things about me include that I’m a self-taught artist, I have a masters degree in Public Health, and want to be an international muralist. What and who encouraged you to become an artist? Uli: What encouraged me to become an artist was the internal need to create and an inability to 5
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fit in the boxes. I recently quit my public health job to pursue art full-time and the freedom to do what I love everyday is liberating. Working towards building my own business and brand feels
more authentic to me than working for an organization. I feel so fortunate to have many people in my life who encourage and support my art practice now, including my spouse, family, and friends. When did you begin creating art? Uli: I began painting with acrylics in high school. It all started when I was at my friend’s house and her dad, a spectacular artist, let us go into his studio and paint for the day. I was instantly hooked. I had the pleasure of working at Michael’s (the craft store) at the time and during my next shift I bought a bunch of paints, canvases, and brushes, even a little tabletop easel and just really leaned into exploring the acrylic medium. I have painted every chance I could get since then. Describe your genre of art? What attracted you to that style? Uli: I have a really hard time categorizing my art into a genre, maybe because I’m self-taught and just don’t know about the various genres of art. My paintings have been referred to as still life meets pop art, and I like that characterization. My murals are a bit different as I create these in collaboration with the client. They are truly custom pieces and can vary greatly in style. Do you plan on learning any new styles in the future? Uli: I’ve just started to play around with spray paint,
which I find incredibly fun and versatile. I’m hoping to be able to incorporate spray paint in my future murals and I’m interested to see if that changes my style in any way. Additionally, I have been working on a project that’s incorporating an immersive art experience and really enjoying the opportunity to challenge myself with new materials and creating 3D elements. I hope to do more installations like this going forward. How did you get into painting murals? Uli: It started with a love for the impact murals and public art can make. I believe in the capacity for art to heal people and spaces and be a catalyst for social change. I believe art should be accessible and free to everyone and murals are an impactful way to expose folks to the arts who may never have opportunities to visit museums or galleries. So being this passionate about public art, I naturally wanted to be a muralist. I painted my first mural in my home, and it has grown from there. What creative rituals have you cultivated that help set the mood before painting? Uli: I typically just need to listen to something while I paint. I’m a big fan of podcasts and audiobooks. Generally, I listen to podcasts while I paint in my studio, since that usually comes in short bursts of time, and I listen to audiobooks while painting murals. I find it pretty satisfying to go through one or
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opportunities to work at the intersection of mental health, social justice and the arts. I want to expose young folks to the arts who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience creative expression as a means of healing from trauma and using art as a catalyst for social change. How do you take care of your mental health when you start to feel burned out? Uli: Painting is how I combat burnout! It allows me to get into a flow state, which the science says is actually the best way to prevent burnout. Although, when I’m feeling particularly anxious (I have GAD, so this is sadly probably more often than most), I find doing something a bit more energetic and tactile, such as working in my garden, to be extremely helpful. Getting my hands in some soil can be so incredibly grounding.
so far. It felt so incredibly validating to have the curators to pick me out of a large ocean of extremely talented artists here in Sacramento. Additionally, the trust they gave to me to create a large-scale installation— which is nothing I have ever done before, really helped me grow as an artist and pushed the boundaries of what I see as possible for me in the arts. two books in a short span of a few days. What is your most satisfying moment so far as an artist? Uli: Being invited to be an artist as part of Coordinates: ICE PAC has definitely been the highlight 7
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Besides art what else captures your attention/interests? is it a special cause? or another form of creativity? or something else altogether? Uli: I care deeply about health equity and equity in the arts. This is extremely important to me, and I am looking for
What impact do you want your art to have on the world? Uli: I’m honestly still trying to figure that out in the grander sense. I do, however, aspire for my art to have a positive effect on people, uplift moods and energize souls. I love this ability to connect to others through art. How the love and energy I put into a piece can get transferred to the viewer. To hear people tell me that looking at my paintings brought them joy or put a smile on their face– it’s a beautiful thing. Anything you would like to add? Uli: Words of wisdom: Show up wholeheartedly for yourself and your art. Practice being vulnerable and speaking what you want out loud. I wanted to be a muralist, so I painted my first mural in my own home and put “muralist” on my business cards. If you want something, go for it. Paint the wall, apply for the thing, ask for the help, and if you believe you can, you will.
@paintbyuli www.paintbyuli.com
The IMPACT of NELSON MANDELA BY EDDIE WALKER
Every century mankind is bestowed with a special individual that is innately born to lead and be of service to the greater good of humanity. These gifted individuals advocate for justice, equality, rights, and freedoms that not everyone is equally granted.
One determined man that made massive progress and sparked a revolution that grabbed the attention of the entire world was Nelson Mandela. July 18th commemorates Mandela Day in memory of Nelson Mandela for leading the Anti-Apartheid movement.
Lifetime Achievements The first African man to receive a degree in law from Witwatersrand University in 1949. The Co-founder of South Africa’s first black law firm. Nelson Mandela was an active leader in the fight against South Africa’s systemic segregation and oppression known as “Apartheid” which was equivalent to Jim Crow laws and segregation in the U.S. However, in South Africa, the Civil Rights movement was known as the “AntiApartheid movement.” Mandela’s famous 3-hourlong speech known as the “Rivonia Trial speech” which in short stated that Violence is necessary to end Apartheid, and that he was willing to die for his cause. This speech is said to be the greatest speech of the 20th century. As a result, it became a pivotal moment in the anti-apartheid movement. The country’s first African democratically elected
president at the age of 77, after being imprisoned for 27 years. D uring his presidency of South Africa from 1994 - 1999, Nelson Mandela focused on National Reconciliation attempting to unite and repair South African whites and blacks, which did yield results. I n 1993 Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It is noted that Nelson Mandela received approximately 260 awards throughout his life. I n 1999, Mandela earned a spot-on TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people of the 20th century. I n 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18, as “Mandela Day.” The heroic courage and bravery to advocate for millions of oppressed people is why Nelson Mandela will be revered for decades to come.
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The Art of Barbering
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or men across the world, Barbershops serve as a therapeutic man cave—a sort of club for men to hold open conversations about the weekend, sports, music, and more sports! The power of a haircut is tremendous. Men and young boys—can walk into a barbershop get a haircut and leave feeling mentally and physically rejuvenated. “Barbershops are a safe haven, I feel like cutting is almost a therapy session, everything is confidential and free of mind.” Says Jeffrey Phelps. Jeffrey Phelps is a 24-year-old barber from Oakland, CA. Jeff has been cutting hair since he was 15. At the beginning of the year, Jeffrey began his apprenticeship to become a licensed barber, he currently holds space for his clients in Signature Cuts Barbershop located in Natomas, CA. In the fall of 2021, Jeff received a bachelor’s degree in Communications at CSU Sacramento. He is a proud advocate and mentor in the Greek life community—which extends its positive impact on the local community, especially the youth. Barbering is a valuable medium of art—and when it comes to cutting hair—Jeffrey is well on the way to mastering his craft. Check out Jeff’s interview to tap into his wisdom.
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THERE IS NO PROGRESS WITHOUT STRUGGLE. MAKE SURE TO CONTINUE CHASING THE DREAM.
Eddie: Tell me about yourself. Jeffrey: My name Jeffrey Phelps I’m 24 years old. My hobbies include basketball, community service, going on adventures, real estate, and Greek life. What is your occupation and why did you choose that field? Jeffrey: My occupation is barbering; I chose barbering because I really enjoy changing people’s lives with conversation and making them look good. Is your current occupation what you’ve always wanted to do? If not, what do you really want to do? Jeffrey: Yes, This is what I wanted to do. I also want to get into real estate. I’m also a communications major, so I plan to use my skills in that field to build and add to my career aspirations. Did anyone inspire or motivate you to become a barber? Jeffrey: Not really it was more self-taught and interest in cutting my own hair. What do you love most about your occupation? Jeffrey: Being able to engage in conversation with people, especially the youth and trying to form myself into a role model. What’s your favorite kind of cut that you know for 100% your gonna slay? Jeffrey: All of them, but the most common ones would be fades and tapers. What’s your number 1 unspoken rule that customers should be aware of? Jeffrey: That it’s a safe heaven. I feel like cutting is a therapy session everything is
confidential and free of mind. What advice would you give anyone who looking to follow in your footsteps? Jeffrey: To figure out the reason why you want to do it. Also, to find your purpose. Learn how to save and don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. What impact do you want your work to leave on your customers? Jeffrey: A positive influence and that I’m not only a barber at the end of the day, but a friend as well. I want to make the customer feel good about themselves on a daily basis.
What’s your definition of success? Jeffrey: Being able to impact my community in a positive way. Anything you would like to add? Jeffrey: There is no progress without struggle. Make sure to continue chasing your dream.
@_kustomblendz https://square.site/book/ FJMEGAYX8B0K1/kustomblendz-sacramento-ca
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THE WHAT EFFECT The great Nelson Mandela has been deceased for nearly a decade—his name and legacy are still being used to coin a theory acknowledged by the scientific community as a legitimate hypothesis. However, too many people in the general public, this phenomenon is pure ludicrous! But is it really? I’ll let you be the judge. The theory is coined “The
Mandela Effect.” After the late great Nelson Mandela, who passed away in 2013. Strangely, populous amounts of people recall Nelson Mandela passing away in prison. Many even recall watching his tribute on the national news. But history reflects Nelson Mandela being released from prison to become South Africa’s first melanated president.
Blurred Memories So, is it bad memory, misinformation, or what scientists would theorize as parallel universes, merging at various points in time causing these head-scratching moments? This theory made a buzz in 2019, here are a few popular irregularities from the long list of Mandela Effects: “The Berenstain Bears.” Remembered by many as the “The Berenstein Bears.” However, “Berenstein” doesn’t exist! History reflects “The Berenstain Bears.” Look it up.
Do you recall Oscar Meyer or Oscar Mayer with an “a”?
Shazam with Sin Bad OR Kazaam with Shaq Records show Shazam with Sinbad never existed.
The monocle on the monopoly man. Did he or didn’t he have one?
Was it Looney Toons or Looney Tunes?
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Tom Cruise in Risky Business– Vibing with a pink shirt and no sunglasses or was it a white shirt
and sunglasses. Over the years, this particular scene has become a Halloween costume classic. Everyone wore it with a white shirt and sunglasses. You may be too young to remember this one, so ask your parents what they remember.
So is the Mandela Effect a legit theory that physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson would himself support with a data and Science—was Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trying to tell us something about these alternate realities— maybe it’s the result of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. Or is it simply cap? Are we transferring history and jumbling memories between parallel universes? Where’s Bill Nye when you really need him??
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It’s blooming season for
Lady Sadie
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his summer equinox Sadie Dunaway and her art are in full bloom! Sadie’s art comes from Mother Gaia, and doesn’t involve any paint, charcoal, or clay—her art is environmentally supportive—fabricated with flowers that bring back the nostalgia of her hometown in Washington. Sadie creates her art utilizing a variety of flowers that she collects and then preserves to produce a masterpiece, that’s the foundation of her beautifully crafted art. The process doesn’t happen overnight and is a lengthy one.
WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING INSIDE OF US THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS SEEN BEFORE. WE ARE ALL MORE RARE AND ORIGINAL THAN WE THINK OR GIVE OURSELVES CREDIT FOR. Eddie: Tell me a little about yourself My name is Sadie Dunaway, and I am 31 years old. So far, my greatest accomplishment has been becoming a mom! It continues to be the most exciting adventure day in and day out. We have a Golden Retriever, named Shasta, who is also a very loved member of the family. When and what made you gravitate towards art? Sadie: Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, and spending much of my time in nature, is ultimately what inspired my creativity. I would say my artistic side blossomed around my 13
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teenage years. What influenced you to create the style of art that your currently producing? Sadie: As I continued to find new purpose for things typically going unused, I eventually gravitated toward flowers and preserving them in one way or another. I created a lot of random pieces with these dried flowers before ultimately sticking with the idea of having them framed. My creativity has been able to grow within that form since then. How do you set the mood before you begin your
Ranging anywhere between 2- 2 1/2 weeks! For Sadie the process isn’t filled with stress, its therapeutic. Giving her an overall blissful feeling of witnessing the vision being brought into fruition. Along with being an artist, Sadie is also a full-time wife and mother. Which are her greatest accomplishments thus far. Creating is natural for Sadie but her grandest creation has come in the form of family. Read on to see how patience is the most important attribute to Sadie’s success, and how she creates and balances her life as an artist, mother, and wife.
creating process? Sadie: Typically, the space around the ‘chaos’ is cleaned, and I always make sure the lighting is how I like it and there’s a scent going that brings me relaxation and clarity (through a favorite incense or candle). Other than your current form of art, are you interested in any other forms or mediums of art? Sadie: I enjoy photography, mainly portraits, and my favorite is using my Polaroid camera. I love capturing people in different angles and
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lighting. What’s something most people don’t realize about your art? Sadie: The time it takes! Now, I have never timed exactly how long it takes me from start to finish to
create a piece, but it’s usually weeks. Even though it is time consuming (which I do enjoy) each detail is purposefully placed. How do you manage your work-life balance? Sadie: I don’t hold my
creating to a certain schedule. Some seasons of life I am inspired and able to give my art more days and hours throughout the week, and other times it’s at a slower pace. I trust the process and what I have capacity for each day. I have three children and the youngest one sleeps in my room which doubles as my workspace. So, I definitely do have to be proactive and prioritize my time to create. It’s a dance! But we make it work. What’s one thing art has taught you that translates to everyday life? Sadie: Patience is gold! And It sounds cliche but that there’s truly beauty in the process. Many times, we need to just start, even if we have yet to know what the end result will be. What advice would you give to a new artist? Sadie: Enjoy yourself and have fun! Create for yourself before you create for anyone else. What impact do you want your art to have on the world? Sadie: For people to realize that we all have something inside of us that no one else has seen before. We are all more rare and original than we think, or give ourselves credit for. Anything else you would like to add? Sadie: Feel free to reach out, chat, make a new friend, or see some art! I’m on Instagram under @ sadiedunaway
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