We were lucky to catch up with Sharanda “S.A.W.” Wilburn recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sharanda “S.A.W.”, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
For me, creativity is a living energy, it needs care, curiosity, and courage to stay alive. When I paint, I let emotion guide my hands more than rules or technique. Each canvas becomes a reflection of what I’m feeling in the moment, whether it’s peace, passion, or pain.
When inspiration fades, I don’t force it. I step back and live. I listen to music, explore new places, or simply observe the world’s colors and rhythms. Those moments always find their way back into my art. I believe creativity stays alive when you let life itself be your muse when you paint not just what you see, but what you feel.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Saw Art is more than just a name — it’s a reflection of vision, emotion, and purpose. As a visual artist, I pour my heart into every brushstroke, using color and texture to tell stories that words often can’t express. My art is inspired by emotion, human connection, and the beauty that exists in both strength and vulnerability.
Art became my sanctuary after the passing of my mother — a way to channel grief into something meaningful. Painting helped me heal. Through every color and canvas, I found moments of peace, strength, and connection to her spirit. I also published a book called “Beyond The Masterpiece.” Those experiences taught me that creativity isn’t just about making something beautiful — it’s about transforming pain into purpose.
What excites me most about creating is the freedom it brings. Each painting is a journey — sometimes spontaneous, sometimes deeply intentional — but always rooted in authenticity. I love exploring how emotion transforms into form and color, how one piece can speak differently to every person who views it. That energy exchange between artist and audience is what keeps my creativity alive.
Beyond the canvas, my work is also driven by purpose. I’m passionate about using art as a platform to give back — particularly through events that I have done in the passed & is currently working on.
For me, art isn’t just what I do — it’s who I am. It’s a language of healing, love, and resilience. Through my brand. I hope to inspire others to see beauty in every season of life — and to remind them that even through loss, creativity can become a path to light.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are resilience, emotional awareness, and faith.
Resilience taught me how to keep creating even when life felt heavy. Losing my mother was one of the hardest moments of my life, but art became my way of surviving and transforming pain into purpose. Every setback reminded me that strength isn’t about never falling — it’s about how you rise each time you do.
Emotional awareness gave my art its voice. I learned to embrace my feelings — the joy, the sadness, the confusion — and pour them into my work without fear. That vulnerability turned into connection, and that’s where true artistry lives.
And faith — in myself, in the process, and in something greater — kept me grounded. When I couldn’t see the path ahead, faith reminded me to trust that every brushstroke, every tear, and every pause had meaning.
My advice for those at the beginning of their journey is to give yourself grace. Don’t rush your growth — art, healing, and success all unfold in their own time. Stay curious, stay honest with your emotions, and never compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter ten. The most powerful art you’ll ever create will come from the parts of you that feel the most human.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The person who has been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges is my mother — even in her absence, she continues to guide and inspire me. Her love, strength, and spirit are woven into everything I create. Losing her was one of my greatest heartbreaks, but her memory became my greatest motivation. Through my art, I feel her presence — reminding me to stay strong, stay kind, and never give up on my purpose.
I’ve also been blessed by the support of mentors, family, friends, who believed in my vision when I doubted myself. I’d like to thank my fellow creatives, poets Crystal Williams and Nicole Lee, visual artists Tisha “Tee” Taylor, Sean Mulkey, Sway, Adeana Berry and Christopher Clark. They’ve taught me that growth happens through connection — by learning, sharing, and allowing others to pour wisdom into you. I have many others I could name but space is limited
Every lesson, every conversation, and every act of encouragement has helped me build the resilience, confidence, and faith I needed to succeed. My journey has been shaped by love — both the love I was given and the love I now try to share through my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sawarts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsawart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamsawart5580?si=JBKBRePXfsE4cy5e
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