Meet Sage Monteith | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sage Monteith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sage, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Balance is definitely an ever-changing beast! It can feel very unobtainable at times. I’ll think I have a good balance going, and then a project will come along, or more hours at my other jobs, or wild life happens and it gets thrown off center. At times it’s hard to separate myself from my art, it can be an all consuming business to be in, as you’re exploring your mind and maniacally working on a piece for hours and hours, forgetting to be a functioning human. This can make balancing other work and life a complex process.

I think that’s the beautiful thing about the journey though, each time something disrupts the delicate balance there is an opportunity to re-calibrate, which gives me a chance to reexamine my work load and make adjustments where needed. There are frustrations with it, of course, but I try to stay grateful and trust the process as it ebbs and flows.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create art based around bodies, the feminine form mostly, but my style/content is always changing shape. I’ve always had a fascination with the body, so it makes sense that my other work is in anatomy/alignment based yoga. I like to play around with the physical form, exploring shapes and faces with different mediums. It is important to me to represent different body shapes and sizes. My style has always been in the same vein, but I also strive to try new things, playing with new techniques or paints. I like to challenge myself and keep it fresh. I mainly draw, but incorporate watercolors along with markers. Due to my desire to switch it up, I also paint, do epoxy resin pours, get stickers and merch made, paint murals and more.

I haven’t been selling art for very long, so it still feels weird to think of it as my profession. It’s been an interesting road, a lot of growing pains and trial and error. I’m still very much so in the process of getting settled and growing. It’s helpful to find community, as many people are supportive and willing to share tips and tricks as well as help you promote your art. I make sure to be an open book when people reach out to me asking about what markers I use or where I get my paper. I think the art world can be competitive, but there is room for all of us if we stay authentic to ourselves and create from our hearts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Ventura, which is about an hour north of LA. Food is the best, and Ventura is blessed with a lot of great places to eat. More than anything though, there is an array of nature. I love going to the beach, or riding bikes along the promenade that spans across Ventura’s beaches. Going east out to Ojai for a hike is always a good time, the nature out there is stunning and peaceful. Ventura has tons of amazing local bands, so when COVID is less of a thing going out to shows is one of my favorite night time activities!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been so lucky to have so many people support and uplift me. I was really resistant to begin selling art, but I had so much encouragement and love from those around me it gave me that extra kick I needed to take the risk. The person who deserves the most recognition is my dear friend Cheyenne, who tragically passed away a few months ago. She taught me so much about running a small art based business, and she endlessly supported my ideas and visions. I am forever grateful for her gifts and wisdom.

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/snakeEYEart

Instagram: @snakeeyeart – https://www.instagram.com/snakeeyeart

Facebook: Snake Eye Art – https://www.facebook.com/snakeeyesage/

Other: TikTok @snake.eye.art