a week in my life as a part-time artist & full-time scientist

[@sarahmalm9684]

I don’t know if I will ever be able to quit my job to do art full time but it would be a dream come true. I hope you will also.

[@pepostudios]

Baby steps!! It really does sound wonderful to be able to work on my artwork on my own schedule. One day at a time!

[@Skuttz]

Shout out to artists watching art while arting, haha. 😂 I'm glad im not alone! Feels like a small way to support others and see some beautiful works! It's always inspirational.

[@pepostudios]

Yes, I totally agree!! I love seeing the techniques that other people use and just the way that people approach their artwork, and it’s so great to feel like I’m just catching up with my art friends (who have no idea who I am 😂) while I’m arting!!

[@ChantelleArts]

This is brilliant, watched and enjoyed till the end ☺☺

[@pepostudios]

Yay, thank you so much!! 🫶🏼

[@daniwilliamsillustration]

That was such a magical moment when the sunflowers suddenly came together!

[@pepostudios]

Wasn’t it?! Like I said in the video, it was very much a “trust the process” kind of painting for me 😅 but I love how it came together in the end!

[@j.patrickbowman3701]

Try your oil pastels over acrylics or watercolors. So much fun!

[@pepostudios]

Genius, that sounds like a lot of fun! I’m totally gonna give that a try 👍🏼

[@riverogue13]

This is relatable I work in a lab but try to do art outside of work bc I hope to be a children’s book illustrator at some point. but it’s rlly hard to balance… this def gives me inspiration and you manage your time very well!

[@pepostudios]

I used to work in a lab so I feel ya!! Be kind and gentle with yourself because it really is a challenge to balance it all, but with a little intention you can fit art into the margins of your life! I love that you want to be a children’s book illustrator. Keep that dream alive!

[@riverogue13]

@@pepostudios yeah, don’t get me wrong I LOVE working at my lab and I love my coworkers I just wish I had more mental energy to draw after work lol. Hopefully I’ll figure it out!

[@j.patrickbowman3701]

Love your authentic self!

[@pepostudios]

Thank you so much!! 🫶🏼

[@theserendipitouscrafter3532]

Our day jobs do have value and a great learning environment too. Can’t wait what you come up with for the eclipse !! Hope you got a good view !! Here in Canada I had a 98.3 % view and its was gorgeous !! I wish I could have gone for a totality spot ! But alas I didn’t plan it out well…

[@pepostudios]

Totally! It’s taken me some time to realize that, but there really is so much I can learn from my current job. The eclipse was AMAZING! I went to Vermont in the line of totality and had a wonderful view. I filmed a lot and should have a video coming out soon! Even though you didn’t see 100% totality, I still think it was soooo amazing to see part of it at all. I got so excited when I saw the first sliver of the moon show up!

[@Zerousername-0]

I draw while I watch your videos.

[@pepostudios]

Woohoo, glad I can keep you company!!

[@AndeeSaraDesigns]

So...its 1:14 am here right now and I'm watching this.🤣 I work nights so I watch you, and work on my ipad when I have a few seconds here at the hospital!! I homeschool my little boy during the day, so my time during the day is limited ...not sure how I'm going to keep up with the Leverage Your Art class... It was easier last week because I was off work. Hubs and was out of town so I needed to be home at night for our boy. I look forward to watching you grow, and hope I can grow in my current situation too!!!🤣

[@pepostudios]

I have so much respect for you!! That’s A LOT to juggle! The good news is that it really is okay for us all to go at our own pace, because each of our circumstances are so different. I’d be curious to hear what you think about Leverage Your Art! I haven’t taken it, but I’ve heard good things from people who have.

[@DanaDassZdon]

This video was super relatable! Hope you do more of them!

[@pepostudios]

I’m so glad to hear it!! I definitely will! I think there are a lot more of us in a similar position than I expected, so it seems to be a conversation worth continuing

[@HannahMorenDraws]

I was watching this with my cat in my lap - he reacted every time he saw one of yours appear on the screen! He’s a cat’s cat.

[@pepostudios]

Omg that is such a delightful thing to imagine hahaha I love that!!

[@chemical4u]

Hey Sarah, just came in to say that the lemons in your Sketchbook are so nicely painted, really love them❤🍋 have a great week, Karina

[@pepostudios]

Thank you so much! They were very spontaneous but I felt inspired by the color palette of the sunflowers and already had all the colors mixed so I decided to just go for it 😆

[@Swstudioart]

Sketching on my samsung tab listening 😊

[@ItsVesperArt]

I think giving yourself room to play is exactly what you (and we all) need to really get to know ourselves, and our art styles, and grow as creatives. Kitty looks like she's also giving herself room to play too. :P Ps. I watched your video the other day while I was doing some animation. 🌻 Pps. I finally uploaded my first real (ie full length) video. lol.

[@pepostudios]

I think you’re right! It’s been weird to feel like I have to give myself permission to just play… but, like, who’s making the rules?! I’m trying to reject hustle culture in my art journey as much as possible and just embrace that it’s a slow process, and I should just enjoy each step along the way. Also, lol, my whole apartment is my cats’ playground 😆 And woohoooo I’m so excited that you posted your first full video!! Can’t wait to watch it!!

[@ItsVesperArt]

​@@pepostudios If I could heart the comment "I'm trying to reject hustle culture" more than once, I would. I sooo dislike that whole movement. To me it's nothing more than a mask for late stage capitalism, buttttt don't get me into one of those rants because I could talk allll day haha Anyway, yeah, take your time. Play, enjoy, be curious, experiment, and find your people. I think that's much more valuable :) I hope you like the video. I'm not sure where I'm going with things yet, but I tried my best. 🥳

[@pepostudios]

@@ItsVesperArt yes, totally!! I’m trying to be very intentional about striving for ENOUGH instead of constantly working towards MORE, ya know? I’ll watch your video tonight! I saw the first 10 sec and that intro animation is so lovely 🥰

[@ItsVesperArt]

@@pepostudios thank you! I really like doing little animations on procreate, so I'll probably incorporate them pretty often. I find doing really loose, silly ones very relaxing.

[@ThatPaintingLass]

Literally watching you, on my iPad, as I’m painting. Only difference is I’m in watercolor and painting gladiolus flowers. 😘

[@pepostudios]

Love it!!! Happy painting! Hope your gladiolus turned out beautiful!

[@ninamanning8219]

Cartoon saloon is one of my favorit movie studios too, that one and studio ghibli 😊. I really like your art and your videos. It's comforting to see someone in a situation similar to mine. Hi from Argentina.👋

[@pepostudios]

Yeeesss that makes me so happy to hear!! Do you have a favorite Cartoon Saloon movie?? Also, thank you for your kind words 🥹🫶🏼

[@meganj1411]

I've recently gotten out my colored pencils to play with in my sketchbook. I normally draw in ballpoint pen, but I've wanted to do more with it lately. I'm just wanting to experiment more with color a bit more before super diving into my new Holbein acryl gouache. They seem intimidating but I'm doing to try them some more someday.

[@pepostudios]

I actually am so impressed by people who do a lot of ballpoint pen work, and it’s definitely something I want to play with!! But I totally feel you - color is a whole beast in and of itself, but it really is fun to play with. And, hey, no worries if it doesn’t look good at first because that’s what sketchbooks are for! I hope you have lots of fun with your acryl gouache when you decide to open them up. I was also soooo intimidated by mine when I first got them, but it’s seriously my favorite medium now!

[@jngarrettart]

I haven’t seen “Wolf Walkers,” but I LOVE “Song of the Sea”! “Secret of Kells” still has to be my personal favorite though. 🥰 I want to see the display of the real Book of Kells someday. (Your first leaves/vine pattern made me think of “Secret of Kells,” actually!) Gotta second the other commenter too who mentioned Studio Ghibli. Those films are also something quite special. I bought the Drifter Studios brush set you mentioned, and wow, even as someone who already owning some other very nice watercolor brush sets, these are a very nice addition, and the setup of that canvas is a game changer! Being able to toggle between a textured and white background just solved a conundrum for me in sticker and clip art creation, so YAY! Thanks for the recommendation. I love seeing what you’ve done with the texture and brushes here. I think the floral pattern was really cute! (Oh gosh! Your cat makes adorable noises! 😆) Best wishes on your continued journey, from someone else who’s also trying to build things one step at a time.

[@pepostudios]

Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to see the Book of Kells before and it really is amazing to see in real life. And I totally agree - Ghibli movies are so so special! Howl’s Moving Castle is a personal favorite! YAY I’m so glad you’re loving the Drifter Studio brushes! I’ve really enjoyed them, and totally agree with you about the paper background toggling. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement! 🫶🏼

[@jngarrettart]

⁠Catching up on some of your videos and came back to reply here too. That’s so cool you’ve seen the Book of Kells in person. It’s such an amazing piece of art and history. I love Howl’s Moving Castle! It’s such a “comfort food” kind of movie. Spirited Away is my favorite from Ghibli, but it’s hard to compare their movies when they’re all so different from each other and so good. One month later and the brushes are AMAZING! I’m getting all kinds of things done with them, especially in tandem with a couple of my other favorites. Glad you’re enjoying them too. Thank you too for the encouragement of sharing your videos. I’ve caught up on a few others recently, and want to try to comment on some of them when I can.

[@BoujeeGems]

I’m a construction project manager trying to start my crystal/art small business on the side. Oh the irony! 😂

[@pepostudios]

Omg, I love that so much!! And, hey, I bet your project management skills will be super important as you build your business!

[@kindcreative1]

Great video! I hope you'll get a clear sky for eclipse watching (my husband bought eclipse glasses a month ago 😆} Your oil pastel drawings are really nice -- they're Sakura so they must be pretty good quality.

[@pepostudios]

Thank you! I hope you get a clear sky, too! Also, that’s so kind of you to say 🥹. I was thinking the same thing about the oil pastel brand! One day I’ll Google the set I have to see what I can learn hahah

[@bedhead-studio]

I'm near Boston and I was napping during that earthquake, so I didnt feel it haha

[@pepostudios]

Lollll major respect 😆 some of my coworkers in Cambridge said they felt their apartment shake but I didn’t feel anything 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@fionasimagination]

Watching your video while doing some sketchbook work😂

[@pepostudios]

Yessss! I love it!! Hope your sketchbooking went well!

[@holliharmon9280]

What product do you use in your hair? We have the same curl pattern, but mine is out of control! 😂 Your hair is beautiful 😍

[@pepostudios]

I am so flattered by this comment ahaha thank you for your kind words!! 🥹🫶🏼🥰 My biggest pro tip is to find a hair stylist who really understands wavy/curly hair!! That has been without a doubt the biggest game changer for me when it comes to figuring out my hair. Beyond that, I use lots of thick conditioner and also a hair gel to lock in my curls (I use Harry’s and love it) 😊

[@acesarato]

Love these vlogs ❤ just make sure the cat is back on camera duty as I love her cinematography 😅

[@pepostudios]

Hahahaha oh don’t worry, she’s an attention hog so she’ll definitely get plenty of screen time 😆

[@acesarato]

@@pepostudios ngl, the best shot was when she was ‘filming’ 🤭 loved her panning technique hehehe

[@pepostudios]

@@acesarato 😂 she’s an expert at her craft!

[@CatitosStudios]

Your cats are so adorable 🥰 , how many do you have, three? I had three until a couple of months ago that my bf had to adopt a fourth one 😅, how do you manage their litters in an apartment? I’m still figuring the best way to tackle that.

[@pepostudios]

Thank you! They’re foster fails! Alissia is the mom and Pumpkin and Hazel are her kittens 🥰 I love connecting with my fellow crazy cat people hahaha. We kind of DIY’ed our litter boxes and we’ve had good success using big plastic bins from Target with a hole cut into their side along with pine pellet bedding that’s typically used for horses haha. We’ve been in two apartments with our cats so far and this system has been good for us!

[@CatitosStudios]

@@pepostudios pine pellet uhmm I'm going to have to research that. I use a regular cat litter, but the amount of waste is tormenting me. Thank you!

[@pepostudios]

@@CatitosStudios I loovveee the pine pellet. It’s much more biodegradable than regular litter, it really doesn’t smell bad (I actually like the smell of the litter itself lol), and it’s WAY cheaper than regular litter when you buy it at a farm store! If you’re in the U.S., I get mine at tractor supply co.