Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharell Whipple.
Hi Sharell, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My art journey started over 10 years ago when I was working as a pet sitter and dog walker in my hometown of Santa Barbara. One year, I painted portraits of my clients’ pets as holiday gifts. The feedback was overwhelming — people shared how meaningful the artwork was to them, especially knowing how short our pets’ lives can be. Over a decade later, those portraits are still hanging in their homes. That was the moment I realized my art could do more than decorate a wall — it could hold memories.
I began offering custom pet portraits online, which gradually expanded into painting meaningful places and moments for people: mountain scenes where couples got engaged, floral wedding signage in a bride’s color palette, ornaments featuring favorite vacation spots, and whimsical animal artwork. Nature and memory became the common thread in everything I created.
Over time, my business evolved from one-of-a-kind commissions into designing cohesive art collections for retailers. I now create nature- and animal-inspired pieces using illustration, wood, and laser-cut materials that are sold wholesale to gift shops, bookstores, aquariums, museums, and nature centers across the country, primarily through Faire. One of my most popular products is a line of illustrated suncatcher window decals that transform sunlight into rainbows, bringing a little magic into everyday spaces.
What began as painting one dog for one family has grown into creating thousands of small, affordable artworks that people can live with every day. I still carry the same intention from those first portraits — to create pieces that feel personal, meaningful, and connected to nature — just on a larger scale.
Running this business means wearing many hats as an artist, designer, and maker, but I truly love the work and the opportunity to share my art with so many people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Early on, my work was entirely custom, which meant I was trading time for money. I loved creating personal pieces, but I realized it wasn’t sustainable if I wanted to grow. Learning how to shift from one-of-a-kind commissions to designing products that could be made consistently and sold in shops was a huge learning curve.
I had to teach myself new skills — from working with laser-cut materials and sourcing the right supplies, to understanding packaging, production flow, pricing, and wholesale systems. There was a lot of trial and error in figuring out what products people truly connected with and what retailers actually needed.
Wearing every hat in the business has also been a challenge. I’m the artist, the designer, the maker, the photographer, the shipper, and the customer service department. There are always problems to solve and details to manage behind the scenes.
But those struggles shaped the business into what it is today. Each obstacle forced me to refine my process, simplify my offerings, and create art that is both meaningful and sustainable to produce. Looking back, the difficult parts were what helped me build something that could grow beyond just me taking commissions at a desk.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create nature- and animal-inspired artwork that is designed to be lived with every day. My work combines hand illustration with wood and laser-cut materials to create small, meaningful pieces like bookmarks, ornaments, wall accents, and my signature suncatcher window decals that transform sunlight into rainbows.
I specialize in creating cohesive art collections for gift shops, bookstores, museums, aquariums, and nature centers. Everything I design is rooted in a love of wildlife, the outdoors, and a sense of whimsy, with the goal of bringing a little bit of magic and calm into everyday spaces.
I’m probably best known for my suncatcher decals, layered bookmarks, and hanging accent pieces that feel both artistic and accessible — they’re affordable, easy to display, and instantly connect with people. Retailers love that my products are unique, lightweight, and giftable, and customers love that they feel personal and nature-connected.
What I’m most proud of is creating artwork that holds meaning without being expensive or precious. These are small pieces of art that people put in sunny windows, tuck into books, hang on trees, or gift to a friend — and they become part of daily life.
What sets my work apart is the combination of detailed illustration, thoughtful design, and layered, mixed materials. I don’t just create an image; I design how that artwork will exist in a physical space, how it will catch the light, how it will feel to hold, and how it will be displayed in a shop. Every piece is created with both the end customer and the retailer in mind.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that people may not realize is that a portion of my sales is donated to wildlife and habitat conservation organizations. My work is so deeply inspired by animals and the natural world that it feels important to give back to the places and species that inspire me. Supporting conservation efforts makes me feel like my art is connected to something bigger than just the products themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artbysharell.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artbysharell
- Other: https://artbysharell.faire.com
