Becoming Sae J Studios

Sae J Studios is based on the nickname my mom had for me as a baby.  I have been drawing for as long as I can remember, but never took a formal art class until my senior year of high school.  Up to that point, I drew constantly. Illustrating stories became a relaxing pastime, and helped me grow into my style today.  

​

I went to a liberal arts college, double majoring in Fine Art and Psychology.  At the time, interest in the art major was growing, with only a third of applicants being accepted into the program on their first year.  This is where I got my first taste of self acceptance.  In order to get into the program, I had to submit a portfolio of classwork.  The work had to be able to lay flat, no folding or rolling up of larger works.  Thing was, one of my favorite pieces I had done was a 3x4 foot drawing, which wouldn't fit in the standard portfolio bags.  So, I made my own bag.  I saved to afford black pleather bolts of fabric, and borrowed my roommate, a fashion major, let me borrow her sewing machine.  When I walked into the studio to hand in my application, the head of the program stared at me, grinned with realization of what I had done, and  I was admitted to the program with a scholarship.  

​

My current focus on art is to explore and practice the joy of making, be that painting, doodles, experiments, or books.  I used to get worried that I had to find my niche in the art world and stick to it.  Would I have to separate my love of book illustration from my love of painting?  Would doing commissions alienate me from gallery work? 

​

It took awhile to realize the simple truth; my authentic self loves both.  It wouldn't be genuine to my art form to pretend I only focus on one art form.  It drained me to pretend I was.  Finding my handmade portfolio bag reminded me of this truth.  

​