Meet Summar Lababidi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Summar Lababidi.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always had a natural pull for creating. I had the fortune of growing up with a mother in love with the art of music. I also grew up in the same house as my grandmother consistently working on her newest blanket or some hand-stitched gift for a future moment. Watching my grandmother create through love and her abundance of crafty supplies fed my already prevalent hunger and curiosity for creation. I love working with my hands, I love building new, using recycled items that you wouldn’t necessarily pick to use if you had infinite options, but end up working so perfectly together. At about 16, I decided to try having an online shop, I was living in Wisconsin making eyeball pillows out of vintage fabric and contacting shops I felt they could do well in. I continued to put a collection of things together like framed pressed flowers, decorative shelves, buttons, painted patches, clocks and paintings. Canvases done in Oil Paint always had a special place in my heart, I had finished a few pieces that I had so much fun with and began to focus on oil paint being my medium of choice. Over time, I started having high-resolution photos taken of pieces I was happy with so that I could sell prints. I then started setting up with events and selling to more local shops.

It’s been about five years since I started creating in a more serious manner. I love phoenix and plan to keep working here for a good chunk of time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m naturally pretty introverted. I’ve always been fairly certain about what I like and think, but I haven’t always been so ready to talk about it. A big challenge for me along the way has been being anxious. I love people and would love a good genuine talk with anyone, but small talk is not a strong suit of mine. Being someone who loves to create, I spend a lot of time alone/in my headspace, but a part just important as the creation itself is getting out there with your work and allowing people to interpret/feel through your creations. This is one of those forever goals where it’s something I will always be working to improve. Another factor attributing to going through feelings of things moving a little slower than anticipated would have to be not staying in one place for very long. I have moved many times during my career as a creator. I think there are numerous ways I have benefited from traveling and moving so often, but I think I could have used my time better if I had known how to focus my attention and focus on my career as an artist. Throughout my obstacles and experience, I have found the act of creating a vision that is first only in your head and then in your hands to be one of the most helpful tools we have in helping understand the way each of us individually work/see/emote.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a good mentor is a helpful key in any career. My advice is to converse with as many people as possible. Network whenever and wherever you’re able. I’ve had many mentors in many moments along the way. I believe at our core, people are kind and want to be there for each other. So ask questions if you’re having them, be comfortable with how much you don’t know.

Pricing:

• Mugs – $35.00
• Framed Prints – $40.00
• Postcards – $5.00
• Coasters – $57.00
• Sweatshirts – $60.00

Contact Info:

• Email: summarlababidi@gmail.com
• Website: www.summarlababidi.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/summarlababidi
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/summarlababidi