day in my life as an artist with a non-art-related STEM job

[@thebonellos2482]

Hi Sarah! Mom here. I love hearing about your fondness for Michigan and love of the world around us. I wonder about the concept of the cubicle and the very corporate environment that you find yourself in right now. As I think about all of us who have spent time in that area we could all benefit from creating a space that we actually love (ok like) to work in....What would be the most helpful to bring that sense of adventure, light, and nature to the work arena. A place that inspires all of the senses ESPECIALLY during the marathon meeting days. Any ideas about surface pattern design and the office cubicle? Love to see that you have a stand-up desk and are actually using it. I love mine too. Thanks for sharing this day with us. I love learning more about your work-life. Eh hmm....time for bed my sweet Sarah.

[@pepostudios]

🥹🫶🏼 you’re the best, mom!!! As far as SPD and the cubicle goes… I’ll admit it has crossed my mind to use my patterns to spruce up the space in some way, but I haven’t quite figured it out yet 🤔

[@showherwork]

This vlog was SO relatable. I worked full-time as a software engineer for 8 years before leaving last year to pursue art as a career, and relate to the feeling of going to work every day knowing that you just weren't where you were meant to be. Every single day, I would drive up to the parking garage and have a 5 minute cry in my car before wiping my face and dragging myself into the building. I actually really loved the work I did, but I also felt like the world just operated in a way that didn't jive with my creative energy, so I was constantly having to work in a way that was draining and exhausting. I don't do well working a straight 9-5 and I have to put hard limits on my face-to-face interaction with people, especially when I'm trying to work. I'm actually jealous of your cubicle! I worked in an open office environment and it was so hard for me to focus. People would stop by my desk and constantly interrupt my flow. I'm sure you're probably exhausted right now, but keep doing whatever works best for you! If you can work on your business when you're most creatively energized, it will pay off and you'll be more productive than you would if you were trying to force yourself to be a morning person. It may not be perfect, but it's the best you can do right now, so don't overthink it and make yourself wrong for it! 😊 Also, as for iPads, I have an iPad Pro I bought in 2018 and it's still going strong! I've been wanting to upgrade but I literally have no reason to. 😄They're extremely durable and last a long time, so I'd recommend getting the best one you can afford because you probably won't have to replace it for a while. If you have an Apple Store near you, you can try them out in store. They also let you return anything you purchase within 2 weeks, no questions asked, so you could take it home and play with it. Also, a little secret not many people know about is to check our their refurbished store online! Their refurbished products are SUPER high quality. They go over each one with a fine-toothed comb, so they're arguably higher quality than the brand new ones and you can save anywhere from $100-$300 depending on the model you get.

[@pepostudios]

Rachel, thank you soooo much for leaving such a thoughtful comment. I feel so seen and validated… it sounds like we’ve had some really similar experiences!! It’s a weird feeling when you actually do like the work you’re doing for your 9-5 but still know something about it isn’t right for you. It almost feels like it would be weirdly “easier” in some ways if it was a truly horrible job that I absolutely hated because at least then it would be really obvious why I am trying to build up something that will allow me to leave, you know? But I feel exactly the same way that you described. Working a straight 9-5 is really difficult for me (and yesterday it was 7:30-7, so the struggle is real) and it drains my creative energy soooo much. I’m so encouraged by the fact that you were able to take the leap into full time art. I hope it’s going really well for you!!! Also, thanks for your iPad tips!! That’s a really good point about the durability. I’m the kind of person who will hold onto a phone for years and years until it’s literally falling apart lol, so I imagine I’d be the same way with an iPad 😅. I think I’m gonna go for it!!

[@easlern]

I also work in stem and do arts in my off hours. I’ve been wondering if there are other people out there who do the same and that’s how I found your channel. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, I love learning about other people’s day-to-day. And it’s cool to see there are similar-minded people out there!

[@pepostudios]

This makes me so happy to hear, Nick! It’s so great to know that we aren’t alone. The more I post about this, the more people I find in a similar situation as you and me, and the more I am convinced that the STEM to arts pipeline is very real haha. Thank you for being here! I’m cheering you on in your STEM & art journey 🎉

[@hollykillus]

I'm also building up an SPD portfolio and I love having your videos on in the background while I work. Not only is your work lovely, but I really appreciate seeing your progress and knowing there is someone going through a similar emotional journey - hearing you talk about your childhood made me a bit misty haha!

[@pepostudios]

This makes me so happy to hear, Holly 🥹🫶🏼 I also love having videos on in the background while I work, so I’m 100000% with you on that! I’m so glad I can keep you company on your creative journey 🥰 We are in this together!!

[@veronica.theswamphag]

awww I relate to you so much, I did my bachelor's in Marine Biology and after I graduated all I've been doing is travelling, working in hotels and restaurants and doing art and I've been thinking so much about how to be able to live both STEM and art. And I am also a total night owl, I get SO energized and creative after midnight it's crazy... I wish I was a morning person sometimes too like writing and drawing at 5am with my coffee, but being up all night with my music and the moonlight and my imagination going wild is just so magical

[@pepostudios]

I’m so glad to hear that I’m not alone!! And your life sounds so interesting to me. It’s cool that you’ve been able to travel so much (though I know that comes with lots of its own challenges). Finding the perfect STEM/art balance is tricky and definitely not something that I’ve figured out yet 😅. But anyway, here’s to fellow moonlight loving artists 🌙

[@Bournelux]

I am also a night owl! I feel really awake late at night and find it difficult to fall asleep, and I struggle to wake up in the morning...As for the iPad I do most of my work on my iPad, I love it! Can't wait to see what you draw digitally!

[@pepostudios]

Same, same!! Also, I just got my iPad a couple of days ago and I’m sooooo excited to see what I can create!!

[@Bournelux]

@@pepostudios omg yay! Hope you enjoy using the iPad!

[@meganj1411]

I feel this blog so much. I'm in a 9-5 that I know I could do but there are things about it that I know will literally drive me crazy if I continue on. It's so hard trying to balance work and starting an art business especially when no one else around you understands the struggle. I'm glad you're showing realistic blogs like this. I've thought about doing KZbin but I keep telling myself it's going to be boring; you're showing me that it's not. It's more relatable that way. Also I'm definitely more of a night person but work has me bound to sleeping at certain times, haha. I would love to stay up late again but I need at least 6 hrs. of sleep to function. xD I have an 2018 iPad Pro (12.9") with the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil. I'm so glad I do because that's what I'm primarily making my portfolio on, lol. The Pros allow more layers in Procreate but the sizes are on the larger end so portability is tricky if you use small bags/purses like I do. I'm still learning on what size to start my files so they come out nicely. When you move around rendered objects you can lose the quality of it. Right now I'm toying with the idea of getting a tablet to use with Photoshop so I can move things around more, but we'll see.

[@pepostudios]

Thanks so much for leaving such a thoughtful comment, Megan. You know, pretty much every week when I go to create/upload KZbin videos I worry that it will be too boring to really interest anyone, so I’m really glad to hear that you don’t think that’s the case! Comments like yours have helped me realize that there really are a lot of us out there who are working towards big goals while also tied down with a 9-5 (or other big responsibility taking lots of our time). So, even though I’m in the same boat as you in that most people who I interact with on a day-to-day basis don’t know anything about this world, there’s some comfort in knowing that there are lots of people out there who are going through similar experiences. I also struggle with getting too little sleep 😅😅😅 It’s a tricky balance!! Those are some great tips about the iPad Pro. Your point about portability is definitely a good one to keep in mind… it seems like a tricky decision because it does seem nice to have the largest drawing area possible! Also - someone in the comments of this video said something about being able to use your iPad as a tablet for photoshop! So it sounds like something worth looking into!

[@meganj1411]

@@pepostudiosThat does sound something to look into. I had no idea it could work that way. It might be just what I need. 😊

[@pepostudios]

@@meganj1411 right?! I’m also super intrigued!!

[@monkeymintaka]

The sailboats were so cute! For the ipad, I would also suggest the ipad Pro like others in the comments, but you might want to wait a couple of months as I have just seen rumors that the new one will be released in the March event. So maybe there will be some cheaper second-hand models for sale. Or the new one! I also work a 9-5 job and it is very tricky to balance it all. Mine is also in the creative field, so when I have a really creative project at work I also get creative burnout as well and general tiredness 😅 But it has been a lot better to balance everything since working from home. i used to spend about 3 hours just commuting to work and from every day, which really sucked!

[@pepostudios]

That’s such a good point about the new model potentially being released soon!! Hmmm definitely something to consider 🤔 Also, I can totally imagine that there must be a ton of challenges related to working in a creative job while doing art outside of work. The creative burnout must be so real!! But I’m so glad you don’t have to deal with a 3 hour commute anymore… that sounds horrible!!

[@broo7188]

Thanks for your videos, love your watercolors. I have just started looking into pattern design. I also have 9-5 job, and a night person, ... so I understand what you are saying!! I keep telling myself I have to get up earlier and draw or whatever and just can't get in the routine. I started researching surface pattern design and tools and techniques a little bit ago. I just bought the iPad air with 256GB--more layers (on sale $599) and Procreate, there's so much to learn!! It's fun, it may keep you up later though!! They say the 12" Pro is best, but I didn't want to fork out that kind of money right away and it is more portable for the nice weather coming! Good luck in your ventures!! Wishing you great success! 😊

[@pepostudios]

Thank you for your sweet comment!! It’s always good to know there are other people out there in a similar situation. I hope you’re having fun with your iPad so far!! I definitely think I’m going to go for it 🤔

[@theserendipitouscrafter3532]

Great video ! Loving seeing your days in a life ..love the boats !! I have an IPad and I’m just starting to explore it more now 😂slow with the tech here 😂

[@pepostudios]

Thank you!! That’s awesome that you’re figuring out how to use your iPad. I’ve seem people make all kinds of amazing artwork on their iPads!

[@theserendipitouscrafter3532]

@@pepostudios yes me too ! They all make it look so easy !!

[@ChantelleArts]

brilliant video, thank you for tanking us with you ☺☺☺

[@pepostudios]

Thanks so much for being here! 🫶🏼

[@kindylynnart]

I use an ipad 10th gen and it works great for procreate and all of the adobe products as well! I have been using procreate for 2 years or so and i do pattern design and so much with it. Tip make sure whatever ipad you get you get the ipencil gen lol I was very frustrated with it and then found out they got me the wrong ipencil lol i can answer questions if you have any procreate is my jam! 😊

[@pepostudios]

These are great tips! Thanks so much!! 🫶🏼

[@Thegingerbass1]

Wow the sailboats that are just three shapes are AMAZING!!! Big fan of those

[@pepostudios]

thank you!!! They were fun to paint!! ⛵️

[@sascha906]

The iPad Pro changed my life! I started with the Air to see if I would want to invest and quickly wanted the Pro because of the layer limit. Thanks for sharing and best wishes! 💜💜💜

[@pepostudios]

I’m really thinking that it would be worth the investment!! It seems like such a game changer! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and for your kind words! 🫶🏼

[@alicee2952]

Wow! I’m the opposite, total morning person. My best friend is a night owl. We have to schedule when we talk on the phone. I’m in Oregon, she’s in Tennessee. I was up at 4:30 am. She goes to bed sometimes later than that! I recommend the Apple pad. Procreate is really fun and it is amazing what you can do with it. I hope you do it! 😉 Marc Chagall missed his culture, home and true love when he lived abroad and was inspired to paint those things. I love his work.

[@pepostudios]

Hah, I love that! Isn’t it funny how we’re all so different? I often wonder what it would be like to be a morning person… maybe in the summer when we have lots of daylight I’ll give it a shot 😅 And thanks for the tip!! Definitely leaning towards getting one! Updates to come… Also, I just googled Marc Chagall, and I love his work too 😍. Thanks for sharing this. I’m going to read some more about him and his approach to artwork. It’s so nice and validating to feel a connection to other people through our art and shared emotions.

[@alicee2952]

@@pepostudios​​⁠ his Wikipedia page is like a novel. He must have been a warm human being. I hope it inspires you! If you return home and not too far from Chicago, I highly recommend visiting the Art Institute to see his work in person. It’s just awesome.

[@xeniahaberditz5472]

Im a soon gonna graduate and totally a night owl. After graduation i really want to find a job where i can be a part time geologist 3-3.5 days a week and then on the rest of the week an arist. Seing people like you doing both gives me hope that it is possible 🧡

[@pepostudios]

I’m cheering you on, Xenia!! It would be awesome to start with 3-3.5 days. I have my fingers crossed for you. Good luck with the last bit of school!

[@xeniahaberditz5472]

@@pepostudios thank you Sarah ! Are you full time or part time on your day job ? I might start my channel at some point this spring/summer and set artistic habits so I have that going well before starting the job part. We'll see where it goes haha :)

[@pepostudios]

@@xeniahaberditz5472 I’m full time! It’s tricky to balance for sure and I’m definitely looking to go part time one of these days when I have a bit more traction with my business. I definitely recommend starting a channel though! It sounds like you’re doing the right thing by thinking ahead about how you going to make your art goals happen, so that’s awesome!!

[@xeniahaberditz5472]

@@pepostudios yeah I can imagine that's it's tricky. I've got the full time internship and thesis writing right now, taking up a lot of my time currently 🙈 hence my plan to go part time. Hope you can make this step soon for you and invest more in your art business and maybe also a bit to relax ! Can't wait to follow your journey :)

[@acesarato]

I have an iPad Pro 12in Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard- love it 😍 and use it practically both as a laptop for my academic work and with procreate etc. The game changer for me more recently (when I finally worked it out…) was using it with the Apple Pencil screen mirroring my MacBook for editing and drawing directly on photoshop and illustrator patterns ! Ps love seeing your days in the life ❤

[@pepostudios]

That’s genius!! I didn’t realize that that’s something you could do with an iPad so now I’m suuuuppppeerrr intrigued. Thanks for sharing your tips, and for your kind words! 🫶🏼

[@jackhawn9730]

Fourth

[@pepostudios]

😂🫶🏼