Meet Liza Sargent

We were lucky to catch up with Liza Sargent recently and have shared our conversation below.

Liza, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

If I had, I’d probably be on a mountain somewhere writing a book about it.

But really… I don’t think I’ve ever found my purpose. I never felt like I set out with a map and flashlight searching for it. It was more like a feeling that was always there, no matter age, city, or the weather. I’ve carried that feeling since I was a kid, but back then I didn’t know what it was called, I just knew that I felt more like myself when I was drawing or creating something. Or maybe the only version of myself that made any sense.

I figured out pretty early on that I could draw, and that it was the only thing I actually wanted to do. Still is. It’s the only consistent in my life that has never felt stale or gotten old. Never felt like a phase.

But does that mean I’ve found my purpose? No, I don’t think so. Passion, sure, I’ve got that. Drawing is my language, my home base. But purpose feels bigger than that. It feels like the “why” behind the passion. Like, how do I take this thing that I love and make it mean something? Not just for me, but for someone else too.

That’s the part I’m still figuring out. I’m just trying to make some sense out of what I already have.
Maybe that is the purpose… trying to build a bridge between the thing you can’t stop doing and the reason you’re still here.

Some days I think I’m close to figuring it out and others I’m thrown into the middle of the ocean again. But either way I keep drawing and maybe one day someone will find purpose because of that.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I think a lot. Probably more that is good for me. So, I try to make art that lets people escape that, or redirect thought. I like making things that feel a little weird, a little whimsical, like a softer landing place for when the world gets a little too loud. Color is a big part of my work. I love playing with it. But really, I just like telling stories. Some are personal, some are nonsense, some come from people I’ve met or places I’ve passed through. I just want to make honest work. Work that feels like me. Give someone a feeling they forgot they had.

I’m currently working on a new collection of work; it’ll be my first collection since 2021 so I’m pretty focused and excited about that. They’re a bit more personal and a little messier.

Other than that, just trying to stay curious and keep my eyes wide.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

First, stay prolific. Make a lot of work, even when you’re not sure where it’s going. Especially then. You learn by doing, by messing up, by surprising yourself. Your voice gets clearer the more you use it.

Second, know that stepping away is just as important as showing up. Time away isn’t wasted. Living, resting, getting your heart broken, seeing something strange on the street – that all feeds the work. It’s part of the same moving thing.

And third, stay curious. It sounds simple but it’s probably the most important. Stay weird. Stay inquisitive. That childlike energy… that’s the spark. That’s why we start and it’s what makes it worth coming back to.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Little Women wrecked me in the best way. Jo March made me feel seen before I even knew what I was looking for. She was wild, stubborn, creative, messy, too much of everything, and somehow not enough at the same time.

She showed me that you could be all heart and still be strong. That you could want more from life without having to explain why. That making art isn’t always graceful, it can be loud, lonely, full of doubt…but it’s still worth it.

There’s this quiet power in the way she keeps going, even when she feels misunderstood. That stuck with me. Still does.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lizasbrain