At nine years old, Sara Corine loved writing poetry and making art, and she already knew her dream job: designing greeting cards. Today, nearly 20 years into her professional career, that dream has earned her a new title. We’re proud to name Sara Gallery Collection’s 2026 Artist of the Year.
From Hobby to Dream Job
Sara grew up in a small town in Northern California and now lives in Roseville. Her path to greeting cards wasn’t a straight line. While she was a stay-at-home mom, she taught herself graphic design as a hobby.
She started with digital scrapbook products, then designed paper collections for a scrapbook company whose products sold in stores like Michaels. From there she moved into photo cards and greeting cards, the work she does today.
“Sometimes I think about how excited nine-year-old me would be to know that her dream came true!” Sara says.
Modern Meets Whimsical
Sara describes her style as a mix of modern and whimsical. She loves clean, minimalist design, but she’s just as drawn to bright colors and playful illustration.
“Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace both sides of my style rather than feeling like I have to choose between them,” she says.
That balance shows in her cards, which feel polished and contemporary while keeping plenty of warmth and fun. As for inspiration, Sara says she finds it everywhere: fashion trends, typography, home décor, color, and the ways other people express themselves creatively.
Color First, Then Everything Else
Every project starts with listening. Sara makes sure she understands the art direction and the client’s vision, then explores color palettes, typography trends, and art styles for ideas.
When she opens Adobe Illustrator, color usually comes first. “I feel like color can make or break a design, and it can completely change the mood or personality of a piece,” she explains.
From there, she illustrates directly in Illustrator instead of sketching on paper. Working digitally lets her experiment and keep refining every detail until the design feels right. She also paints with watercolor and scans the textures into her digital work, pairing the character of hand-painted art with the flexibility of software.
Art for Life’s Happy Moments
For Sara, the best part of designing greeting cards is where they end up. “I love knowing that the art I create becomes part of someone else’s special moments and celebrations,” she says. “I also enjoy that my job is a little unusual. When someone asks how my day was, sometimes I get to tell them I spent it drawing unicorns!”
A self-described “holiday romantic,” she can’t pick just one favorite occasion. She loves the magic and whimsy of Christmas, but birthdays, baby showers, and everyday celebrations are close behind.
One recent project stands out. We asked Sara to design a set of Christmas cards in her own personal style, and the result includes a cheerful gingerbread man. Sara has loved gingerbread men since she was little, so this card is especially close to her heart. It brings together what she loves most about holiday design: whimsy, color, and nostalgia.
“I feel very lucky to make a living doing something I genuinely love,” she says.
Beyond the Studio
When she isn’t designing, Sara is usually in the kitchen or on the water. She loves baking breads and desserts and cooking comfort food in the fall and winter. She’s also an avid paddleboarder and feels lucky to live near beautiful lakes and rivers, where she gets outside and recharges.
At home, she has two very mellow companions. Schmidty, better known as Mr. Baby, is an 11-year-old Persian cat who spends much of his day cozy on his heating pad. Roo is a 2-year-old Pomeranian who loves treats and belly rubs and doesn’t bark at all. Since Roo grew up alongside Schmidty, Sara jokes that Roo may think she’s a cat too.
Behind the Scenes, Now in the Spotlight
Sara has spent much of her career behind the scenes, letting her artwork speak for her. That’s part of what makes this recognition so special to her.
“I’m incredibly touched and honored to be chosen as Gallery Collection’s Artist of the Year,” she says. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Gallery Collection, and it feels especially meaningful to know that my work and the creative partnership are valued in return.”
Nine-year-old Sara dreamed of making greeting cards. Today, her art helps people mark milestones, share happiness, and celebrate the moments that matter most. Congratulations, Sara, and thank you for the creativity and joy you bring to every design.
Visit Sarah’s Artist’s page to see more of her work.
