About the Artist
My name is Ariel Schlag. I grew up in Campbell Hall, NY, which was home to the first butter factory in the U.S. Each summer, I could be found catching frogs, dragonflies, and cicadas in the backfield and near the creek with my siblings. We lived in an old colonial house with our parents and grandparents, which was truly a gift. Nature was my source of inspiration for creating art.
I have been drawing and painting since I was 4 years old. Although I was keen on becoming a professional artist early in my childhood, I did not initially pursue this dream. Like many of you, I was told that there was a reason for the term “starving artist.”
I tried to think of the next best thing, and my love of animals led me to become a veterinarian. Dr. Eric Evans at Flannery Animal Hospital inspired me to pursue this career at the age of 9 when he saved our German Shepherd puppy, Max, who had severe inflammatory bowel syndrome. I have my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Lisa McEwen, to thank for introducing us. Knowing that my Dad and Dr. Evans both attended Cornell, I made it my mission to attend their College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine. My Grandpa, a snowbird, would send letters from FL in the winter encouraging me to never give up on my dream. I graduated with high honors from both colleges and then began a daunting series of internships and a combined surgery residency and Master of Science program, working grueling hours for little pay and with very little sleep. Luckily, I had my husband there by my side to support me every step of the way, as well as our “zoo.”
After emerging from my residency and passing the ACVS board exam (a total of 16 years of post high school graduation education!), I realized that I had been denying my inner child and artist for far too long and that titles and accomplishments don’t mean anything if you are unhappy. I started to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life again like a beautiful sunrise; a gentle, cool breeze; the sound of raindrops falling softly on the leaves; and a cozy cup of tea. This inspired me to create whimsical and cottagecore art.
I hope my artwork brings you the same inner peace and happiness it brings me. My favorite artistic scenes to create include rabbits, foxes, wolves, frogs, mushrooms, and forests. I like to think of myself as the modern day Beatrix Potter. Because I am a veterinary surgeon, I have also published several anatomical illustrations for veterinary research papers and textbooks.
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