Sarah Bigham has worked as an education professor at Frederick Community College since 2008. However, she has a story to tell as a writer and a watercolor artist.
Bigham began writing in high school where she grew to love the craft and she wrote a mystery novel that was not published. She was encouraged by her family members to pursue writing as a career.
“My mother always thought I should become a writer,” said Bigham.
She then applied for a program as a high school student but was not accepted. At the time, she felt the rejection was a sign and that maybe writing wasn’t a good fit for her. Then she stopped writing.
About four years ago Bigham began writing again as she was inspired by her strain of medical conditions that were causing her a great deal of discomfort and stress that was brought into her life.
“I would wander the house most nights because I just could not sleep. I was in so much pain,” said Bigham.
Bigham received multiple diagnoses, but her biggest struggles were interstitial cystitis and fibromyalgia. She shared that dealing with the chronic pain started to escalate her anxiety and she needed to find something to keep her mind occupied.
“I needed to do something productive, so I figured why not start writing again?” said Bigham.
She used this opportunity to tell her story of her journey with how she coped with her health conditions. Bigham now has over eighty pieces published since the year of 2012.
Along with writing, Bigham also took up an interest in painting and took a class. Bigham stated that at first, she was doing this as a personal interest, but then it grew into something much bigger.
“I really loved the watercolor portion of it. I realized that I had kept all of my watercolor supplies from the 90’s and I started using it up again,” said Bigham.
Bigham shared that her inspiration stems from the funky colors of all the certain medications she was prescribed.
“I was on so many different medications, I saw that I had a wide range of colors with these medications and decided I would incorporate them into my work by painting the colors,” said Bigham.
After creating a number of pieces, Bigham was then encouraged by her family members to submit her work for showing. She ended up getting a piece displayed in the Frederick Memorial Hospital women’s center in Crestwood that became a success.
“I entered a piece in and I ended up getting selected to have my work shown. The piece ended up selling also,” said Bigham.
Bigham was then able to do a solo art show that was located right outside of Philadelphia and spoke to a crowd about her health journey and read some of her writing pieces.
“I felt like it was a great way to help people who may be battling the same or similar issues,” said Bigham.
Bigham also has created a website, www.sgbigham.com, where she has posted her artwork and writing pieces for people to view. She shared that she has gotten a bunch of feedback from readers asking her questions and reaching out for advice.
“I have dealt with so many treatments, it is very easy for me to give out suggestions and healthcare providers to look into,” said Bigham.
She shared that sharing her story with others, has made her known to how many people deal with chronic pain on a daily basis. The result was very surprising to her.
“You may feel so alone through it all, but in reality, you aren’t,” said Bigham.
