Meet Sara Wilczynska | Artist and Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Wilczynska and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, how does your business help the community?
I’m a watercolor and ink artist based in San Diego, and through my studio, Swil Arts, I create illustrations that invite people to pause and savor small moments. My work is rooted in the belief that life already holds enough, that the ordinary can feel extraordinary when we give it our attention. California’s spirit of ease and everyday magic inspires much of my practice and supports my deeper purpose to help people slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. We live in a time of constant stimulation, endless notifications, and an expectation to always be producing, doing, achieving. Through my paintings, I try to create a pause. A small breath in the middle of the day. Something that reminds people that their lives are already enough, that the moments they’re living are worth keeping.

The impact isn’t only emotional. I’ve built Swil Arts to reflect the values I care about: care for the planet, for people, and for community. That shows up in concrete ways such as biodegradable packaging, paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, carbon-neutral shipping, and art supplies that are cruelty free. I also donate 5% of sales to charities that align with those values, so each purchase becomes part of intentional stewardship, a way of spreading the wealth and the care beyond my studio.

My customers often tell me they care as much about the story behind their purchase as the piece itself. Choosing Swil Arts means choosing to uplift a women owned, queer owned small business rooted in community care. I take that seriously. I see my work as both personal expression and a way of modeling another way of living: slower, more intentional, more connected.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art lives at the intersection of memory, place, and presence. I work in watercolor and ink, creating illustrations that hold onto fleeting moments — the light on a lifeguard tower at sunset, the ritual of grabbing coffee at a favorite truck, the nostalgia of a vintage surf van parked by the beach. What sets Swil Arts apart is not only the style itself, but the values it carries. Every choice, from using paper sourced from responsibly managed forests to biodegradable packaging and cruelty-free supplies, reflects a commitment to intentional stewardship. Each piece is meant to feel like a pause, a reminder that ordinary life already holds extraordinary beauty.

What I’m most proud of is that this practice found me later in life, and I said yes to it. I started painting seriously at 39, self-taught, after a decade in tech. In many ways, my story is about returning to what I loved as a child — drawing, noticing details, creating beauty — and finally allowing it to become my path. Since then, I’ve had the joy of sharing my work through collaborations with local businesses, like La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, as well as in shops and galleries across San Diego and beyond. But what excites me most is still the quiet, personal part: when someone tells me a painting reminds them of a memory they want to keep close, or that a print brings them a sense of calm in their home.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Walking away from a stable career at Google with no plan was a leap that many thought I was reckless to take. Then came the challenge of starting from scratch — learning to paint, to share my work, and to run a business, all at once. There were plenty of setbacks, from paintings gone wrong to shipments arriving damaged. What carries me through is persistence, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to staying close to my own truth. I also had to learn that there is no such thing as perfect “work life balance.” Instead, I work in cycles, like nature — seasons of creating, seasons of rest — and I tend to my nervous system so that I can expand my capacity for both.

Along the way, I’ve learned that growth isn’t about speed or external approval. It’s about alignment. When I follow what feels alive and meaningful, I know I’m on the right track. That’s what I want the world to know about Swil Arts. It isn’t just about selling paintings. It’s about creating space for people to slow down, savor small moments, and reconnect with what matters, while running a business in a way that cares for people and the planet.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d want them to see both the iconic and the everyday parts of San Diego that I love. We’d definitely spend time at Coronado Beach, one of my favorite places to slow down and watch the light change over the ocean. I’d also take them up to Bird Rock and La Jolla to wander by the water, explore the tide pools, and eat in the little spots tucked along the coast.

For food and atmosphere, Little Italy is always on my list — the restaurants there are incredible, and the Saturday market is such a fun way to spend a morning. While we’re there, we’d stop at Nibble Chocolate in Little Italy, a place close to my heart and one of my favorite cafés in the city.

I’d also plan time in Hillcrest for its farmers market, and then head to North Park and South Park for their cool cafés, small shops, and neighborhood energy. Balboa Park is another must, not only for the museums but also for the Desert Garden, which feels like a hidden treasure right in the middle of the city.

And of course, we’d go hiking. One of the things I love most about San Diego is how close the canyons are. You don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve stepped into nature. If we had more time, we could venture further out, but even the trails just minutes from the city can feel like such a reset.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my spouse and business partner, Valentina. From the very beginning of this journey, they’ve been my biggest supporter, motivator, and cheerleader. When I’ve doubted myself, they’ve held the belief for both of us. When I’ve needed perspective, they’ve offered clarity. Valentina is the best business partner I could ask for and the best life partner I could ever dream of — truly my soulmate. Swil Arts wouldn’t be what it is today without their love and encouragement.

Website: https://www.swilarts.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swilarts

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-wilczynska-swil-arts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swilarts.studio

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/swilarts/