Sarah Paolucci: Illustrator, Designer, Portraitist

Sarah Paolucci of Paolucci Illustration and Design points to her knowledge of both fields as what separates her from the crowd: “I’m both a designer and an illustrator, so I have complete control.” Sarah explained to me over tea one evening that her understanding of graphic design often informs her illustrations in critical ways that other illustrators may not take into account. Furthermore, for many of her clients, Sarah handles both aspects of an order. For instance, Sarah creates original illustrations and designs for one of her biggest clients, the Emerson Theater Collaborative in Mystic Connecticut. Paolucci has been with the collaborative since their inaugural production in 2008. About three times a year, Sarah reads through the scripts, creates an inspired illustration and designs posters, promotional postcards etc. for each show.

Sarah’s knowledge of both fields resulted from a combination of her schooling and work experiences. Paolucci remembered her years at the University of Hartford fondly, pointing to her teacher, Bill Thompson, as someone who ”always pushed [her] to be better.” Sarah graduated with a degree in Illustration and her training proved to be formative:

“I’m not a very spontaneous artist. I plan it out – because of my training, I think. They teach you to take reference shots and now I take that into account whenever I do anything.”

Paolucci continued her studies in the real world. She worked in a print shop for two years where she “learned everything [she] needed to know.” Sarah then took a job as lead graphic designer in New Jersey based company. While stating she did very well in this position, Sarah quickly realized that corporate life was not for her. She then decided to move back home to build her own business.

Sarah explained the growth of Paolucci Illustration and Design as a process that took place over time through acquiring the necessary connections and compiling a portfolio. Paolucci attested that her business sees equal parts design and illustration, but then admitted, “I do a lot of design work. It pays the bills and it’s easier to find.” While most of her clients are Connecticut locals, she also has a few international connections, which she acquired through her shop on etsy.com (www.sarahpaolucci.etsy.com). Paolucci grew up in Tolland Connecticut where she remembers discovering her love of drawing at an early age:
“When I was young and annoying and I would say to my mom, ‘I don’t know what to do, I’m bored,’ she would tell me to go draw. And so I would. I would go into the kitchen and I would draw the dog. That’s where I got my start.”

Sarah is also a portrait artist, offering realistic renderings of both humans and animals. She commented that portrait orders roll in during the holiday season and December is her busiest month. Colored pencils are her medium of choice, but “it all depends on the piece and what it calls for.” She also uses watercolors, graphite and pastels to capture her subject matter.

While work can often override pleasure, Sarah always tries to have personal projects going as well. Currently, she is working on Escher-esque inspired drawings and points to M.C. as someone who “is always in my brain. He’s always sitting back there somewhere.” Sarah’s current work-related projects include designing wedding invitations for a Bristol-based company, an Emerson Theater program as well as the promotional postcard for our very own Connecticut Creative Online. Sarah does everything from greeting cards to portraits to promotional posters to brochures and more; Paolucci Illustration and Design truly does it all!

For more information, please visit, www.sarahpaolucci.com.