I don’t remember a time where I wasn’t creating. It wasn’t uncommon to see me as a toddler tagging along behind my mother in the department store with some left over scrap of clothing tag trying to make paper dolls. My homework was covered in more illustrations than work. My bookshelves were filled with sketch book after sketch book of cartoon characters, architectual designs, comic strips, magical worlds, self-created shopping magazines, and what ever else I could think of. I would stay up for hours (much to my parent’s dismay) because I couldn’t sleep until I finished a drawing. In my earliest memories, I interpreted my world through color, shape and design. By age 7 I was a self-proclaimed artist.

I started taking private oil paining lessons when I was 10. I spent 4-5 hours every Saturday with a dear elderly woman who shared her studio as well as her secrets. It was her passion for art that stirred my conviction that art was the path for me. In those quite hours in her studio, I fell in love with the fine art of oil painting. I also studied many artists, many of whom were illustrators of children’s books. Vintage illustration became a favorite drawing style even through my fine art and oil painting days.

I painted my way through high school and college, and soon after having my first child, I felt compelled to start designing for children. Vintage children’s illustration was a missing element in the design of children’s decor, and I was determined to bring it back. But this time with new and fresh color inspired by my own two lively children.

Sarah Jane Studios was born out of my love of children as well as my love of vintage illustration and the themes they entail. In this day and age, children turn into grown-ups much too fast. It is my aim to rebirth the notion that childhood is meant to be simple; untouched from the glamor of the fast paced world we find ourselves in. The simple wonders of childhood are just that: simple, naive and only noticed if you are looking for them. Reading a new story, finding a puddle, smelling a flower, or holding a balloon. Peek into the world of a child, and you will be amazed what you can see.

So, with this passion for childhood, I opened my ETSY shop in October, 2008. Since then, my art has reached homes from Sweden to Singapore. I now have over a dozen shops all over the world selling my products, and hope to see more opportunities for growth in the future.

So, come on in! Have a seat! Look around, and enjoy! New designs and products are added constantly, and I hope to see you around!

-Sarah Jane