Meet Sabrina Martinez | Illustrator and Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I started my art business, Mr-Quacker’s Artistry, back when I was in college. My products initially consisted of illustrated art prints. I would focus my time on college and spend the summers working on the business. My parents were helping with expenses, so I was not reliant on the business to pay for food or housing. When I graduated college I got a day job working on websites and social media while I continued with the business after work. I slowly expanded my products adding in smaller prints, pinback buttons, and bookmarks, all things that I could make at home. My work life balance was good here as I only went to 1-2 trade shows a year. It was actually when I changed jobs to a fulltime marketing one that I went harder into the business. I started to make patterns that I put onto fabric products like pouches, lanyards, notebooks, and skirts. I outsourced production as I was designing the products. I diversified my income by running an online store, having my products in a consignment shop, as well as selling at 10 or so trade shows a year. My time was taken up by working my day job to have a stable income and working on the business as something I loved. So I was essentially working two jobs. My work life balance did suffer here as I was busy all the time. I would put off hanging out with friends because I was working. I’ve been working on my business for 10 years now as a side project and it is starting to be more solid. I have a better handle on my day job as well as my business so I am able to take time to spend it with family and friends. I made a conscious effort to put work aside and instead focus on enriching the social aspect of my life. And I think that I am in a good place. The business is doing well and I am personally doing well because I have time for myself that it not just working.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love to create fantastical stories and illustrations. I did want to illustrate children’s books (still might!) so my style is very cutesy and fun. That also includes the clothing that I design. I love creating fun and cute patterns that make people happy to wear them. It’s always so amazing to be at an event and see someone wearing my designs or people will come up to me and tell me how much they love my work. Compliments like that have helped me with the ever-looming impostor syndrome. I’m looking forward to work on some storytelling projects alongside creating my products.

In my industry I am considered a veteran. It is amazing to see how it has changed and to see new artists starting out. I like to share my experience and advice with them. You have to wear many hats as a small business owner: artist, graphic designer, salesperson, social media expert, accountant, product photographer, manager, and more. It definitely takes work to become somewhat successful, and I don’t even think I’m there yet! Having my day job has given me the security to take risks with my business and learn without the anxiety that if my business isn’t profitable, I can’t eat this month. Especially with how unpredictable the economy has been the last few years being a small business owner can be difficult. It is a lot of hustling, and it has taken me longer to get where am I because of managing my business on the side. With art being a business for me, I also do art in my free time just for me. When you do something you love as a job, sometimes it can take all the fun out of it. Drawing for myself or other arts and crafts helps me to not burnout too much. It still happens but knowing that not everything you make has to make money is very self-fulfilling.

I got my business name Mr-Quacker’s Artistry from my childhood stuffed toy duck. During a family road trip, we stopped at a gas station with a display that had a bunch of bean-filled animals. I loved them and asked my parents for one (I really wanted the pig one). My parents said that I could get one on the way back home from out trip. On the ride back I made sure we stopped at the same gas station. However, they only had two toys left! A sheep and a duck. I was disappointed that the pig I wanted was gone, but I was determined to take one home with me. It was a difficult choice, but I took home the duck that I named Mr. Quackers. He is very near and dear to my heart. Throughout the years I have collected numerous stuffed ducks to add to his family. That was the start of my journey towards becoming Mr-Quacker’s Artistry!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Haha so with me working so much I am a home buddy. My friends are the ones that know the town better than me and I always have a new experience with them. They have taken me to bookstores like Changing Hands Bookstore or second hand stores like Book Off. Also some good food like Postino’s and The Parlor Pizzeria. I would love to go with my friends to try out Round1!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my parents. They are the ones who have supported me throughout my journey! They have been my biggest cheerleaders always telling me to follow my dreams and giving me the freedom to do that. I am so grateful for the support and opportunities they have given me. I love you both bunches, and bunches, and bunches!

Website: https://mr-quackersartistry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_quackers_artistry/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-sabrina-martinez/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrQuackersArt

Image Credits
Photos taken by me.