Who am I
The most important thing to me is being an artist. Creativity and art are not hobbies; they are integral parts of both my personal life and my professional career. I find fulfillment and purpose in expressing myself creatively with pictures and words. This passion seamlessly flows from my independent creative exploration into my work as an art director and graphic designer. My dedication to communicating through art shapes who I am and influences my approach to every project. It drives me to continually explore, understand goals, test boundaries and innovate ideas, tools and materials.
EXPERTISE
I am particularly adept at ideation, translating concepts to outcomes, developing purposeful stories and marketing solutions, and meeting individual project needs with meticulous attention, all while adhering to project scopes, deadlines and budgets. I have the expert skills to drive technology, generate innovative concepts, execute graphic designs, prepare and inspect final files, and deliver polished end products. Concept, story and the target market are as important to me as the execution and the final product itself.
My professional design experience spans working with advertising agencies, manufacturers, large corporations and institutions, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and printers. I understand the unique requirements for the success of each of these, as well as the specific challenges they each may face.
Most importantly, I am a creator fully immersed in my work and finding new ways to expand. In 2024, I achieved my Holistic Integrated Arts Therapy Practitioners certificate. I enjoy sharing the wellness benefits of practicing art, but most interestingly, this knowledge has added an unanticipated depth to both my studio art and commercial work. In 2026, I began a series of a series of whimsical visual contemplations. Coming soon to retail as stationery and gift items, these works come from a place of personal reflection, inviting viewers to discover something uniquely their own within the artwork—and perhaps within themselves that will create a unique message all their own.
CVsnapshot
2026
Sarasota, FL
SEED PLANTED, Sarasota, FL
Modest garden sculptures, shells left by the sea, and the discovery of a sketch I did in 2010 prompt me to begin a collection of visual contemplations. This concept is a seed for the next phase of my artistic evolution.
2025
Sarasota, FL
ART FOCUS, Sarasota, FL
A move closer to the beach gives me the larger studio space I have been craving. It has the most perfect light for color and creation. I find I have landed surrounded by many other creatives and am very much at home.
2024
Sarasota, FL
CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY, HICAT Certification
I achieve my practitioners certificate in Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy (HICAT) and work toward opening private practice targeted towards stress management.
New energy is thrust into my graphic design and creative arts.
I continue to expand.
2020
Sarasota, FL
COVID STRIKES
I am already working and creating for clients remotely when the COVID pandemic disrupts the world. This puts me at an advantage and I reach out to support corporations and agencies that had been relying on in-house staff.
I make the decision to make Sarasota, Florida my home.
2017
Sarasota, FL
SARASOTA FL, unexpected detour and rebrand
Family need requires me to relocate to Sarasota, Florida.
I sell the Blue Cottage… My creativity, faith and ingenuity are among the very few items that come with me. Client work-load is modified but what I hold on to is unaffected by the relocation. After 23 years, Arachne Design rebrands to MARY CAROL SULLIVAN.
2015
Doyelstown, PA
ARACHNE DESIGN, squiggle
It's never a straight line… The focus on "Value-Added" marketing switches to "Savings" programs. Arachne looses several grocery clients. I step in to support the design and graphic needs for a large/grand format printer. I master design for a expanding niche speciality market. Designing large format event graphics for NYU becomes particularly fun as I design cohesive spirited graphics used for staircases, large building windows, mural walls, etc.–Giving events unique personalities and keeping the graphics engaging while adhering to NYU brand guidelines and directives.
2012
Doylestown, PA
THE BEST GIRLFRIEND EVER, online publication
I create and publish The Best Girlfriend Ever, an online creative journal that offers wisdom and insight through interesting recipes, gardening, and domestic adventures. It's a space where my creative writing is awakened. It is also the space where I begin to experiment with website design and basic HTML programming.
2011
Philadelphia, PA
ACTOR & MODEL
After 2+ dozen years of photo directing and hiring models and stylists, I pick up a side hussel the other side of the camera and become a part time actor and model through AMA Talent Agency. My work spans various television and print marketing campaigns, covering healthcare, casinos, and consumer products industries. The experience gives me renewed appreciation and respect for talent. It also gave me a front row seat to the practices and relationships of other studios and agencies.
2005
Doylestown, PA
RENOVATION: THE BLUE COTTAGE
In search of larger space for my business, purchase and begin the 3-year renovation of the Blue Cottage.
Computer, design software and digital processing requires less space allowing the Arachne Design studio to be built within the Blue Cottage property. The Blue Cottage becomes a hub for all things creative, as well as my home.
1999
Doylestown, PA
SOLO ART SHOW
I have my first solo art exhibit, showcasing paintings created in the years following my university studies
1995
Doylestown, PA
ARACHNE DESIGN, owner & creative maestro
I establish and operate Arachne Design as a niche design studio to support the particular needs of mid to small sized corporations, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Making connection through my offset printers, it grows quickly. The bulk of my work is creating magazines and publications for clients such as The Miss America Organization and grocery retailers: Acme Markets, Wegmans Food Markets, Shaw's Supermarket, Weis Markets, Redners and other corporate grocery retailers. Computer aided design and photography is becoming standard practices. Digital printing and proofs have not yet become standard but are available and will be standard practice very soon.
1994
King of Prussia, PA
CRITERION COMMUNICATIONS, art director
I am hired as an Art Director for Criterion Communication, an advertising agency sprung from U.S. Healthcare. I am here help with expansion into non-healthcare clients and offer my experience as a corporate/manufacturer art director who focuses entirely on deep, long-term brand consistency, product packaging, and internal marketing.
My journey with software expands. Digital photography for professionals is mostly used. Digital video and editing is available to professionals, as is quality digital stock imagery. High resolution scanning and color separation is also available for professionals. High quality digital copier make mock ups easier to create with a finished appearance. High quality digital printing is offered by some commercial printers. I am working and building relationships with diverse markets and brands across the corporate spectrum, from startups to established industry leaders.
1988
Lambertville, NJ
YORK LUGGAGE COMPANY, art director
I am hired as the Art Director for York Luggage Company working closely with York and designer brands (Bill Blass, Dior, DVF, Jordache, LA Gear, Members Only, Perry Ellis) to create packages, catalogs, trade show graphics, store displays and consumer facing materials.
When York acquires 2 new partners in 1991, I lead the corporate rebranding, giving the corporation a fresh modern visual direction while paying homage to it's history.
I continue to grow with computer aided software but some mechanicals are still necessary. Digital photography is in its early stages and not yet widely accessible or suitable for all applications.
My job requires me to work closely with advertising agencies and other manufacturers for national and co-branding programs. I am building relationships, working with high quality offset printers, and hiring talent. As well as packaging and cataloging, I am responsible for promotional concepts, managing budgets and scheduling from inception through execution. Digital printing is becoming commercially available. I am a sponge!
1986
Doylestown, PA
LASER TYPESETTING, graphics & software pioneer
I'm waiting tables but also find work with a small Laser Typesetting company and am using Apple computers and software to mostly create newspaper ads, sell sheets, business stationary and resumes. The Laser Jet is my primary printer. I am creating mechanicals fusing the output from the laser printer;"Letraset" is used less and less, and adjusting kerning and letting is simplified. I am using the digital tool to experiment with creating multiple page publications. I begin dreaming of my own magazine.
1986
Piitsburgh, PA
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
Graduate with a BFA in Art from Carnegie Mellon University with a focus on painting and print making... The world is my canvas… or maybe my computer? After engaging with a handful of other students during my senior year to assist a guy named "Steve" understand his new computer software and tracking device I become hooked on the untapped possibilities of computer aided design tools for the artist. I set out in search of a corporate design career to feed my curiosity and pay the rent.
1982
Doylestown, PA
CENTRAL BUCKS HIGH SCHOOL - EAST
Graduate high school… head to Pittsburgh to achieve my BFA.
DIGITALskillSET
Adobe Creative Suites
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Wix, WordPress, Squarespace
Google Workspace
…and other essential tools used to enhance communication, collaboration, productivity and management within corporate team structures such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Teams, Slack, ZOOM, Dropbox, etc. Plus, I'm a quick study!
