Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheree Brand.
Hi Sheree, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been drawing people for as long as I can remember. I was never particularly interested in drawing anything else, and for most of my life, art was simply a hobby. It was something I did to make gifts, unwind after a long day, or pass the time. I’d go through seasons where I created constantly and others where I hardly picked up a pencil at all. I never imagined it could become a career.
In 2015, I sold my first piece, but even then I still thought of myself as someone with a creative hobby rather than an artist. That mindset began to change during my first office job. The days were long, the work was slow, and I started doodling on a free online drawing platform to pass the time. Discovering digital art completely shifted my perspective. I began creating marketing materials for my job, friends started commissioning portraits, and for the first time I realized my art could be more than something I did for fun—it could solve problems, tell stories, and create opportunities.
A few years later, I invested in an iPad and started creating original illustrations alongside commissioned work. Then the pandemic changed everything. As more people intentionally sought out and supported Black artists, demand for my work grew rapidly. At one point, I was fulfilling more than 100 Etsy orders a month, and what had once been a side hobby suddenly became a thriving business.
In 2021, I expanded beyond online sales and began vending at markets throughout the Washington, DC area, where I built lasting relationships with collectors and the local community. After landing several major commissions, I was finally able to leave my office job and pursue art full time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to run a business while managing executive dysfunction and periods of depression. When you’re self-employed, there’s no one setting your schedule or holding you accountable. Every deadline, every email, every social media post, every product launch, and every market falls on you. That freedom is rewarding, but it can also feel incredibly overwhelming.
I’ve also had to make sacrifices that people don’t always see. Most of my income comes from vending at weekend markets, which means I’ve missed family gatherings, birthdays, and opportunities to simply rest. Owning a creative business often requires working when everyone else is off.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a digital illustrator based in the Washington, DC area, creating artwork that celebrates the beauty of everyday life. My work centers on women—especially Black women—and the quiet moments that don’t always get celebrated.I’m drawn to the idea that ordinary moments deserve to be seen as beautiful.
I’m probably best known for my use of color and retro elements. My work feels nostalgic in the best way.
I’m most proud of the community that’s grown around my work. Many of my customers have been collecting my art for years, and there’s something incredibly special about hearing that someone sees themselves, their sister, or their best friend in one of my illustrations.
I think what sets my work apart is its sense of calm. In a world that often celebrates hustle and constant productivity, I’m much more interested in portraying rest, connection, and the quiet joy of everyday life. Those are the moments I want people to bring into their homes.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Just start where you are and take your time growing. Also, people don’t know what they don’t know. As in, you’ll want to make everything perfect but no one but you knows what that looks like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shereesbrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shereedraws
- Other: https://Etsy.com/shop/shereebrandartco
