Sarah Hillsley's creative flair and love for art started when she was nine years old, and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
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She dabbled in screen-painting and painting porcelain dolls at after school care, and has now got other projects to add to her creative resumé.
The Hill Top resident's business RARA Creative has allowed her to dabble in artistic techniques and subject matters that have inspired her.
"I have liked doing everything," she said.
"I have been inspired by nature, people, places, scenes and animals, I loved to draw and paint."
The artist started her business by painting terracotta pots for Christmas presents when she was a secretary at the Mittagong Preschool, which soon became popular.
She has painted over 50 pots with outdoor paint for residents across the region.
"It has been a really nice release," she continued.
The passion for art, landscapes and animals shines through the preschool mural, which depicts the variety of plants and animals that reside in Lake Alexandra.
Staff at the preschool wanted to transform the former mural into a vibrant wall that represented the region.
"I volunteered and put a brief forward," she said.
The first coats of paint were applied to during the bushfires in 2019, and then the floods and pandemic hit which meant it "took longer than anticipated."
The mum of three added the final touches were made to the mural this year and said she was "happy with the result."
"I find it difficult to walk away and say I am finished with a project," she laughed.
"My kids loved it."
"My son loved it, and he asked me to put a snail in there for him, and my daughter has told her school friends about it."
Everyone who walks past the mural can discover the insects, reptiles, birds, mammals and lush plants that call Lake Alexandra home.
"If kids got upset, teachers could take them up there, play iSpy and interact with the mural," the painter and drawer explained.
"I would love to work with other schools to create a mural, and help kids find their creative outlet."
You can learn more about Sarah and her artistic ventures on the RARA Creative Facebook page.
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