Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Dugan.
Anna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been doodling since I can remember, but I knew it was much more than a hobby in college. I went to Assumption College for their business program and took a painting course as an elective study my first semester of Freshman year. I had a wonderful professor and I became enamored with the class. By the time my second semester of Freshman year began, I had transferred into the UMass Lowell art program. There I had a number of fantastic professors who guided me and taught me the history and practical applications of my passion.
I remember seeing a Ted Talk in a class with my professor, Jean Marie Gavarini, by Sir Ken Robinson about how we must learn to value the creative thinker as much as the mathematical or literary thinker. We must not let creative minds die. This lesson has followed me and I believe it will follow me forever. Since graduating in 2013, I have always found time to do creative work in my spare time. I have always done my best to view my creative outlets as a priority in my life, so I have never let go of my need to sit and draw or make things.
In the past five years, I have made more and more space for this artistic process in my life. Slowly, but surely, I have established a small photography business and have now become the sign artist for Gulu Gulu Cafe in downtown Salem. I do creative work for a few small businesses and individuals in MA and NH.
I also have a 9-5 job working as a Project Coordinator for a corporate incentive travel agency in downtown Salem, where I have been able to put some of my talents to work with brochures, proposals, name tags, etc. It can be hectic, but I work hard to keep my creative mind not only alive, but thriving.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Between things like my laptop crashing, post-college financial woes, a life-altering bus accident (a story for another day), and other more minor bumps along the way, I think I can say that the road has been anything but smooth. I worked in an office in Boston for a few years, and the commute alone sucked a lot of the life out of me. I barely had time to do anything I loved. As much as I tried to make time for creative work, I was wearing myself thin and becoming extremely discouraged. I wasn’t able to dedicate the time or care that I wanted to my artistic outlets.
Last November, I finally decided enough was enough. I left my job in Boston and began working in a restaurant in downtown Salem. That restaurant closed down within the first month that I worked there. I was in a panic. I had left my secure job in Boston to work in this restaurant so I would have more time to do things that I loved, and now the restaurant was closed. Luckily, I have an incredible support system, between my husband, family, and friends. I did my best not to lose faith and trusted that things would work out.
While I put my resume out there to some businesses close-by, the restaurant management moved me over to work for one of their other spots in Salem, Gulu Gulu Cafe. I kept up with my photography business and kept trying to push myself to do more creative work. Fast forward to today, where I am the official sign artist for Gulu Gulu and have a steady job Monday-Friday at a corporate incentive travel agency downtown. I have been doing more creative work than ever before. I truly believe that all things happen for a reason, most of all the things that feel the hardest.
I have to remind myself when I ask “why is this happening to me” that you are never given the answers when you are in the middle of a test. With hard work, continued support from loved ones, and faith I was able to make it through to the best situation I have ever been in creatively. And these are the things that will help me conquer the next obstacle that shows up, too.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the @annadidathing story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a visual artist and photographer in downtown Salem, MA. I am mainly the sign artist for Gulu Gulu Cafe, specializing in their chalk signage. I am extremely proud of my 100 Days of Gulu project that I just wrapped up.
I went into Gulu and did at least one chalkboard for them every single day for 100 days. I had been saying I would do more creative work for years if only I didn’t have the long commute to Boston. It pushed my creativity and really challenged me to put my money where my mouth is. In the end, I was left with a solid body of work that I am very proud to call my own.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I find that my life and business have been less about luck and more about staying dedicated, working hard, and trusting the process. I believe more that everything happens for a reason, rather than people just get lucky.
Yes, I do consider myself very fortunate that I am finding small successes with my creative work, but I don’t believe it was luck that got me here. Instead, I believe that the rotten things that have happened along the way to my present situation were really just guides to get me to this point.
Through hard work, a little faith, and a ton of support from loved ones, I have been able to continue putting one foot in front of the other to move in the right direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.annaduganphotography.com
- Email: annadidathing@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/annadidathing
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/annaduganphotography
- Other: www.instagram.com/annadugan_photography
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