Today it’s about one of my Super-Startists. Her name is Sara Coulter.

Sara created her amazing card deck in my course Art Card Deck Extravaganza.

So Sara, tell us a bit more about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, what do you love, and why do you do what you do?

My name is Sara Coulter, and I am a retired 60-something living in Indiana, USA. My best friend is also my husband of 35 years, and my 28-year-old twins are perfection – LOL!
My biggest love that isn’t a person is traveling the world. I started out in high school studying in Germany, studied languages in college, and spent many years in international sales with a large corporation. I was fortunate to have traveled the world with my job, and then 9/11 happened, which caused me to re-evaluate my future. Although my career took a major turn, my love for travel and other cultures was here to stay. My daughter – who thankfully inherited her mother’s travel bug – and I now travel regularly.  
So where does the art come in, you ask?  Six years ago, I was working as the Marketing Director at a bank. I loved the business side of the job, but the creative side was lacking. Let’s face it, banking isn’t exactly sexy!  So I took an online drawing class, and fell in love. I would draw in my office during lunch hours, carry my sketchbook to the kitchen while making dinner, and spent many sleepless nights thinking about art.
I moved from drawing to markers to watercolor to gouache, my current favorite medium. I paint every day, and I now consider myself an artist/illustrator.

You’ve created a card deck. What’s your card deck about? Could you tell us more?

My card deck is a fun, upbeat, colorful collection of daily affirmations delivered by a character I call ‘Bertie’. Bertie is wacky, witty, eccentric and super cool. She looks forward to Friday-night bingo, her 5:00pm cocktail and the annual trip to Las Vegas with her BFFs. She loves big patterns, big bags, and bigger earrings – and hats. She has a fiercely positive attitude, a fiercely tender heart, and – most importantly – she believes that YOU are responsible for whether your day ends up amazing or in the toilet!’
The deck includes 31 affirmations and mini no-nonsense pep talks from Bertie (one for each day of the month) to help you take control of your day and make it great!

For whom did you create this card deck?

Although my deck is appropriate for any age, I created it with the young woman in mind who is working to find her way in the world. Climbing the ladder of the corporate world from my mid-20s through my 30s was challenging. Although I appreciate a good challenge, navigating a career, relationships, and self-confidence without the experience to back it up can be lonely and frustrating. I wanted a tool that could remind women that we are strong and we have more control over our lives than we sometimes believe.

Why did you want to create this card deck?

My original thought was to just finish the class. But as I got further into the process, I really wanted to make a go at something that I could sell and that would have meaning. Once I had the deck finished, I was so happy with the result that I believe I really can do something bigger with it.

What would be your biggest dream for this deck? Dream BIG please :)

My biggest dream for this deck would be to sell or license it to a notable company. Perhaps Bertie could become a ‘household name,’ appearing on greeting cards, journals, and other products. I would love for the deck to be a springboard to launch more licensable business in hopes of funding my future travel as well.

You created this card deck while being a Super-Startist on the Art Card Deck Course. Did the course help you a lot? Did it meet your expectations? Did you learn new things? Tell us more! We’re VERY curious.

I had taken other Art Beat courses, so I knew the assignments would be inspiring and motivating. But Marenthe took us through the whole process, from brainstorming a topic to tips on creating a successful art deck, as well as the business side of producing and selling our deck. I don’t know if I would have come out of the course with a complete, viable product if it hadn’t been as comprehensive as it was. Also, the class met regularly on Zoom for brainstorming sessions, which is how Bertie was born!

What was your biggest learning during the creation process?

For me it was how to actually turn my illustrations into a product. Also, the step-by-step process of the class allowed me to really think through my decisions.

Did you struggle during the creation process? If that’s a yes, what were the struggles about? And were you able to overcome them? How?

I wouldn’t say I struggled, but I second-guessed myself a lot. That’s where the Zoom brainstorming sessions helped me. I knew that I intended to sell my deck, so I wanted to get it right. Once I created Bertie, my ideas never stopped flowing!

What did you like MOST about the course? Why?

It was a crazy amount of work to finish the deck, but I love to have a project going where I know every morning what I’m doing when I walk into my studio. I had so many ideas for my cards that I never got ‘stuck,’ and my color palette and content made it so much fun to create!

Was the Super-Startist Community on FB helpful? The Zoom sessions? Why or why not?

The Facebook group is always helpful for those who participate. The Zoom sessions were ideal for me, because we were able to talk out our questions and fears and exchange ideas.

Now that you’ve accomplished this wonderful product, what would you like to say to other artists?

Don’t be afraid to tackle this project! Even if you create one deck by hand for yourself or a friend, it’s truly a special gift, and you will be so proud of your accomplishment. And if you want to create a product that will earn you money – well, check back with me in a couple of months!

How do you feel right now about your deck? ONE word please :)

Optimistic

Are you happy being a SUPER-STARTIST?

Oh my gosh, yes! The Art Beat Club classes motivate and inspire me to really dig deep and work outside of my comfort zone, while having tons of fun at the same time!!

How does it make you feel?

Excited, motivated, inspired, and fortunate to be part of a very special art community.

What’s your biggest learning so far in the Membership?

To never stop exploring, pushing, experimenting, creating.

Well Sara, thank you so much for your kind and inspiring words and your awesome art!

More info: @saracoulter

Work, created by Sara in the Super-Startist Membership: