Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Dudek.
Sarah , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Last year, I was working as an Art Director at an advertising agency in town. I loved it, but I reached a point where I felt I needed a break. I wanted to explore some of my own creative ideas and hopefully regain some passion and momentum. So I gave my notice and planned a year away from the industry.
It was an incredible move. I had been exploring painting and now I had the time to make it a priority. I got a studio at the Artisan’s Asylum in Somerville and started spending my days there, sketching, painting, and eventually, learning how to screen print.
I was having a grand old time, and soon, my work was gaining attention. People started asking to buy it. Brands wanted to collaborate. There were requests for commissions. And my mindset shifted. What if this could be more than a year off? What if I could turn this into a reliable stream of revenue?
It was a startling thought, and one I was in no way prepared to act upon. As a lifelong art kid I had no interest in or aptitude for business. Then, something incredible happened. My friend Sara was teaching a class in Creative Entrepreneurship at MassArt. It was just what I needed. I signed up and over the semester, learned a ton about running a small business. Things were starting to take shape.
Today, I am running an online shop, working on projects for clients, teaching screen printing, and heading into a summer full of art markets and shows. My year off may not be as relaxing as I had intended, but I’m pretty excited about how it’s working out.
Has it been a smooth road?
Some days it feels like all I’m doing is making mistakes. This has been a period of pretty intense growth, and that means taking a lot of chances and failing a lot. So I’m getting better at being vulnerable and admitting that I’ve got a lot to learn.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sarah Dudek Paintings & Prints – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business is Sarah Dudek Paintings & Prints. I sell paintings and screen printed posters that I make by hand in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Boston is a great city for ideas and innovation. There is an incredible community of makers here, and people tend to be friendly and supportive. We just need to find a way to keep sky-high rents from forcing our creative talent out of town.
Pricing:
- Posters range from $15-$29
- Screen Printing Instruction is $130 per class.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SarahDudekPaints
- Email: sarahdudekpaintingsandprints@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_dudek/
- Other: https://artisansasylum.com/current-classes/#sectionscreenprinting
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