Sara Sami speaks about the instant art of selling

Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

 

WITH an increasing trend towards young artists taking charge of the business aspect of their talent house using social media tactics, 28-year-old, Bahraini artist Sara Sami, said she did the same. She began her journey about a year ago when she displayed some of her decoupage collection she designed at home.



“At that time I was working at home as a graphic designer so I thought why not expand into the gift item business which is when I started an Instagram account called ‘bahrainart.’ I started off slow as I was still sort of new into the whole printing business, but I got to learn lots from people whom I worked with who helped me learn everything I needed to know. I now own all the machines and printers I need at home and I’m happily running my own little business thanks to everyone who’ve helped me and of course for Instagram which has made it easy for us home business owners to develop! I currently just sell online in Bahrain but have a lot of customers from the Gulf who come across my page on Instagram.”



Sami designs most of the artwork available on her page. I got my printers at home so I like to experiment on different surfaces that I can print on which I will shortly be displaying on my Instagram account.



She started hand printing on tables and vases then moved to printing on coasters and mugs. Currently she customizes and prints on phone covers, pillowcases, notebooks and bookmarks.



“There are several artists in Bahrain whose work I enjoy and are great painters such as Abbas Al Mossawi. There are also a few graphic designers whom I have met at art festivals and such whom I would love to collaborate with. I have also had the opportunity to work with Bahraini artist Hani Malik who approached me to design his CD cover, which turned out great and is now on sale!”



She said once she graduated, she wanted to start her own business rather than working for a corporate company. “It can be very helpful in keeping you up to date with the art world but can also limit your creativity.



That’s what led to what I’m doing today because I get to design my own style of art. That doesn’t mean that I don’t create custom artworks for my customers because I get a lot of projects where I get asked to design a special theme for the event which can also be fun because you’re never restricted like you are when working for a corporate company.”



She said she likes to experiment with different styles and on different mediums when it comes to personal artwork. “I tried everything from calligraphy, watercolors, where I did a lot of abstract work. I enjoy illustrating even when they’re just random doodles. That’s when I started doodling to make a living, where I came up with my “Monsterville” project.



I started illustrating cute little monsters and added messages to them, sold them as gift cards and then slowly developed to mugs and notebooks. I am still continuing to doodle but my style of artwork has changed to more abstract and little messages that portray a side of me.”



Sami pointed out that even though not everyone can accept your style and may criticize your work it shouldn’t stop you from doing what you love. “I had a few people who didn’t accept my Monsterville project and called it quirky and strange! But to be honest I took that as a compliment because I want my work to be different and unique!”