We recently had the chance to connect with Sarah Bruno and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m on a path, but I do wander when it feels right, and I leave room for that. I’m flexible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve loved drawing and creating for as long as I can remember. My little girl, Nilla (my doghter, aka doggy daughter) inspired me to create art and focus on custom portraits. That’s how my art business, @travelingarrow (on Instagram), was born back in July 2016, and I’ve been creating ever since.
Portraits are my jam! They make meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts and usually take just 1–2 weeks to complete. For custom pieces, I simply ask for clear, detailed photos so I can capture every feature while drawing.
Every artwork is created by hand and original. I create my drawings freehand on an iPad, then provide the digital JPG and PDF files to my customers. You’ll have full rights to the digital files, so you can turn your portrait into anything you’d like: a print, canvas, mug, pillow, t-shirt, or keepsake through sites like Vistaprint, Printful, Printifty, Canva Print and more. The possibilities are endless!
Animals hold a special place in my heart, which is why I donate 100% of my sales to animal charities, in loving memory of Nilla, Everly, and Bee. Creating art that celebrates the ones you love, while helping animals in need, is what my art is all about.
Specifically, I donate to Frosted Faces Foundation (https://frostedfacesfoundation.org), Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org), Rancho Coastal Humane Society (www.rchumanesociety.org), and North Shore Animal League (www.animalleague.org).
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’ve always been an artist. I loved creating art even before I knew what art was, crayons and pencils in hand, hand to paper. A love born long ago.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss a kind of simplicity, moments that felt ordinary at the time, but seem extraordinary now, like every quiet moment I had with Nilla.
I miss all those quiet moments with Nilla, Everly, and Bee so much.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Love. Doing things with love, living life with love. Just love.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
When I am with my dog. They change us. They ground us. They keep us closer to nature. They make us smile and laugh. They keep us alert, aware, present. They remind us that the simple things in life are the best things in life. They show us the beauty all around. They love us unconditionally. They are our babies, our family. They save us. They are everything!
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