**Sarah Epperson paints snowflakes on the window of Yesway in Manilla on Sunday.** Photos By Gordon Wolf

Business windows in area towns, including Manilla, are looking Christmassy, thanks to the talent of a Logan woman.

Sarah Epperson, whose business is Board Creators, has been busy applying paint and her creativity to the windows.

It started in the fall of 2022 after Epperson painted the window of her front door and posted a picture of it on social media. A businessperson in Missouri Valley saw the post and wanted Epperson to paint the business’s windows.

“And from there it snowballed,” she said.

She added the idea of painting windows was a way to earn extra money for her daughter’s participation in competitive gymnastics at Platinum Gymnastics in Logan, and her son’s participation in Lo-Ma youth wrestling and his guitar lessons.

Epperson has also painted fall, spring and Independence Day art in area towns.

Some people have a specific idea they want Epperson to paint, but many leave it up to her creativity.

A bakery in Dunlap wanted the painting to be pink, so she painted a pink coffee cup and pink cookies.

“Some want a winter scene, not Christmas, so it lasts longer,” she added.

Epperson’s artistic talent developed by paying attention to general shapes of objects and then deciding what details are important to make the painting look right.

“Most things are pretty basic if you can break them down,” she explained.

She took art in elementary school and high school with two very talented teachers and is now paying that back by volunteering for a community art program in Logan.

“I can’t say I excelled a ton at art, but I enjoyed it,” Epperson said. “I’ve always been crafty and love to create pretty things. It comes in all forms - sewing, crocheting, drawing, painting, and do-it-yourself projects.”

She said the difficult part of painting windows is to resist the urge to add too many intricate details.

“They aren’t really needed for this type of art and just take extra time, which costs people extra money,” Epperson explained.

One of Epperson’s more intricate designs was a Christmas train on Midlands Dental in Missouri Valley.

“It turned out awesome, but it was a lot of detail and colors - one of those times I should have left out some minor details, but you learn as you go,” she said.

She said a Christmas village she painted on the CHI clinic window in Dunlap last year was much the same with a lot of details.

“They had a very specific theme in mind and the clinic, as well as most of Dunlap, were thrilled with the results,” Epperson added.

In addition to Manilla, Dunlap and Missouri Valley, towns where Epperson’s Christmas and winter window art can be seen are Crescent, Logan, Woodbine and Irwin.

“My favorite part about all of this, and what makes painting in freezing conditions worth it, is seeing people stop to enjoy them, or having kids see them and love them.” Epperson said.

“I love it when kids walk past me and have questions on what I’m doing or why I do something while I paint,” she added. “I always make sure to ask them if there is anything missing. Kids are honest and will tell you. Sometimes it’s something I really did overlook, and sometimes they are using their imaginations to make the painting bigger and better - and I welcome it!”

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