Hi, I’m Sydney VanFleet. I earned my BFA in Drawing and Painting from James Madison University. After graduation, like so many others, I followed the corporate path—because that’s what we’re told we should do. Going from school days that ended at 3pm, to a college schedule I controlled, and then straight into a rigid 8–5 with no flexibility felt like the slow death of my creativity.

I spent two years as an Event Manager, which gave me the best of both worlds—creative freedom with the structure of a corporate job. But the work-life balance was nonexistent. Long hours, nights, weekends... my personal life constantly had to fit around my work. So, I made a shift. I took a traditional 8–5 job to reclaim my time and reset, but I quickly realized it came at the cost of my creative fulfillment. I missed the variety, the movement, the energy.

That’s when I realized the corporate world just wasn’t for me.

I took time to figure out what would make me excited to wake up and work each day. Now, I’m building a life around that. I’ve started painting custom murals for homes and businesses, doing graphic design, and creating commissioned artwork. I’ve also returned to my roots in events part-time, working with wedding planners and at a beautiful winery while I grow this creative venture.

I’m also honored to be illustrating a children’s book for my childhood best friend, sharing a story that means a lot to both of us. We’ve just begun this journey and look forward to sharing the ups and downs along the way. To learn more about the book and our process, check out the “Hero Scar” tab on the website.

Welcome to ArtBySydV—where I’m building a business (and a life) one day at a time..