Oh my gosh!! We are so excited to share this interview with you all. If you're into doodling, then you would have heard of Doodles by Sarah AKA Sarazorel on Youtube! Sarah is also the author of one of our favourite books in the WashiGang shop, The Art of Doodle Words, by Sarah Alberto. Read on to find out what Sarah's daily routine entails, tips on doodling for beginners and what it's like to have such a big following on YouTube!
Tell us a little about who you are and what you do?Hi. My name is Sarah. On social media, I am known as Doodles by Sarah or Sarazorel. I am a freelance doodle artist and stay-at-home mum from Sydney.
What does your daily routine look like?
My daily routine is very basic. Since I am a full time mum of 2 I take care of everything my children need and also manage the household. In the morning, I help my kids prepare before going to school. While they are at school, I mostly do household chores. When the chores are done or if I still have time, I draw or create my Youtube videos. I try to fit everything in that time because after picking up the kids from school I spend time with them and then I go back to more housework, like preparing dinner, etc. By the time they go to bed, I can go back to drawing, editing or I just rest and catch up on my favourite anime or Kdrama.
Do you have any tips for staying organised as a creative person?
I used to have a planner or I always start with one but after some time I end up neglecting it. My mornings are always busy so I tend to forget to check it. Because I like to keep things simple, one of the things that keeps me organised is by making a to-do list that I post on my office wall (for all my creative work) and on our fridge (for personal matters). I like seeing the things I need to do, that way I don't forget. I also set up reminders on my phone. When you have a lot of things to do, always start with the easiest one so you can tick it off your list straight away. Sometimes, when I get overwhelmed, I take breaks and break down the smaller tasks and take things one step at a time. I always remind myself to "pace yourself" when things get a little tough.
Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay motivated?
One of my main sources of inspiration is my children. From the books they read, to the shows they watch or the toys they play I seem to get ideas from those and they also share some of their ideas with me. There are also a lot of artists who I look up to that inspire me. Seeing their work and learning about their hardship to get to where they are now motivates me. It gives me hope that someday, I will be able to reach and accomplish similar things. For someone like me who is dealing with anxiety, getting inspiration and staying motivated is challenging. There are times when I feel like I can do anything and there are days that are just blank. Either way, I pause and reflect on myself to figure out the things I need to do.
What tips can you share with us about doodling for people who say they can’t draw? I have encountered people who say they can't draw and I always tell them that they can. It depends on how you perceive it. All artists or creatives start from nowhere until they try it and they strive and pursue what they want to do. To doodle is just to draw aimlessly, even a small child can doodle. Shapes, squiggles, curvy lines are doodles that can turn into something. When people ask me how to doodle, I just tell them to just draw anything, whatever pops in your head. And when you start drawing, and you figured out what it is that you want to accomplish, the next thing to do it to keep practicing. Trust your process. :)
What is it like having such a big following on YouTube and what do you enjoy most about sharing content with your creative community?
To be honest, it is quite overwhelming. Some people might see me as this big artist but I am just a normal, simple person. I surprise a lot of people when I say that I am already a mum. Having a big following also means there are a lot of people who acknowledge my work and that makes me very happy and proud, even if they are just simple doodles. Whenever I post new content, seeing people appreciate my art is very fulfilling. I enjoy reading comments of people sharing their stories on how my doodles have helped them in their everyday life, whether it was making a card for their parents, to helping them out with a school project. I can't believe that these simple videos I create can make an impact on someone.
What exciting things do you have planned for the rest of the year? Is there anything you’re looking forward to?
The year 2021 is a year of challenges for me. I want to challenge myself to do more and get out of my comfort zone. I recently opened my Etsy shop to sell my own designed stickers. This is something I have been planning for a very long time but I kept putting it on hold. This is something very new to me but is also exciting because it has always been my dream to create my own stationery. I have planned a lot of things but given the situation we have right now (pandemic, lock down, travel bans, etc), I am trying to take things slow and focus on my small shop.
Where can we follow you: instagram/website
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