Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Gallahan.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have been drawing and creating from a very young age and basically, never stopped. Out of high school I moved to San Antonio where I got my first job illustrating educational children’s books. A year after I returned home to Winchester where I opened a tiny art studio on the walking mall downtown. There I began my career path, painting commissioned portraits and small scale murals. After 3 years in business i closed my studio to focus on raising a family, but never stopped painting. My husband was diagnosed with MS in 2016 and complications forced me to take action to support him and our 3 kids. We knew God had a plan to use this for good so fully trusting in Him I hustled to sell my own pieces in shows for a few years and slowly began to pick up more murals. As time went by the number of murals continued to multiply and the physical scale of the work grew. I was realizing my love for large scale painting, working outdoors, meeting new people,traveling, and the problem solving that comes with each job. I’ve been blessed with more than 250 murals( and counting), most in Winchester and as far as Virginia Beach. I continue to apply for murals across the country.
Recently I have been working to cover the walls in our local hospital, focused in all Pediatric departments, and painting in several local schools offering opportunities for students to help paint their own schools mural. It’s truly been a blessing to give back to my community who supported me in my time of need.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am self taught so every job is a learning experience. With murals I am constantly working with new people, on different substrates from roof tops to school buses, different temperatures, and locations that come with their own zoning rules and regulations. Ive also had to learn to use equipment, beyond the brush, that changes with the needs of each job- such as an airless spray gun, spray paints, how to build scaffolding and operate lifts.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I paint on just about anything from small residential murals,to large scale exterior murals, box trucks to school buses.
I specialize in large scale exterior murals and portraiture.
I am know for my murals throughout Winchester and the facade of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach.
I am most proud of the work i do with and for kids. I create large scale paint-by-number murals in school and hundreds of children have been able to paint their school murals. I love to see the kids light up with pride when given the trust and opportunity to create art.
I think what sets me apart is that I am willing to work closely with my clients on murals. I know they are hiring me because they want to represent who THEY are and to give back to their community so even though iI might think I have the best idea for a job it might not be what reps them truly. So my focus is to collaborate closely, which involves a lot of studying of the clients history, their goals, and what they aim to portray.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Traveling across the country from Va to California for 5 weeks and camping in a tent every night with my parents and younger brother when i was 14 years old. Thats one memory with a hundred stories
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sarahgallahanart
- Facebook: @sarahgallhanart
