Discovering Your Creative Spark: A Conversation with Food Stylist Sheila Jarnes

What if the most unexpected detours in life turned out to be your calling?

Sheila Jarnes, a food stylist, prop stylist, and hand model based in Midcoast Maine, sat down to share her journey from environmental conservation to the deliciously visual world of food styling. With her hands in everything from gardening to cooking, Sheila’s story is a testament to the beauty of embracing curiosity and finding art in the everyday.

Sheila’s career took root in the restaurant industry, followed by an “accidental” entry into food styling in 2016. She described her early days as a mix of excitement and learning, styling recipes for Boston Globe Magazine in her tiny apartment with no formal training. From makeshift shoots with a point-and-shoot camera to working on high-profile campaigns, Sheila’s path has been anything but linear—and that’s what makes it inspiring.

The episode dives deep into what it takes to style a dish to perfection, from the chaos of on-set dynamics to navigating creative briefs. Sheila also shares her heartfelt goal to align her work with brands that emphasize sustainability, blending her love for food with her background in environmental conservation.

Take Action

Are you ready to embrace the unknown and tap into your own creative spark? Take a moment to try something new in your craft this week. Experiment, explore, and let curiosity guide you.

Closing Thought

As Sheila so beautifully put it, “This work is a constant reminder of having to be okay being uncomfortable.” Let her words nudge you toward growth—because magic lives just outside your comfort zone.

💬 Join the Conversation

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