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 through painting and other artistic mediums. This passion seamlessly flows into my work as an art director and graphic designer. My dedication to art shapes my identity, influences my approach to projects, and drives me to continually explore, test boundaries and innovate.
EXPERTISE
I am particularly skilled at formulating creative ideas, developing purposeful 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.​ Both the concept and the target market are as important to me as the execution and the final product itself.
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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 may face.
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I am a creator who gets lost in painting and illustration. I thrive when my graphics and fine art merge in a project. Recently, I achieved my Holistic Integrated Arts Therapy Practitioners certificate and look forward to sharing the wellness benefits of the arts to help my clients manage dis-ease and stress.
CVsnapshot
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 from home when the COVID pandemic disrupts the world. This puts me at an advantage as I reach to support otherwise in-house supported corporations and agencies.
I make the decision to make Sarasota, Florida my home.
2017
Sarasota, FL
SARASOTA FL, unexpected detour
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 begin a relationship supporting design and graphic needs for a large/grand format printer. I master design for a expanding niche speciality market.
2011
Philadelphia, PA
ACTOR & MODEL
After 2 dozen + years of photo directing and hiring models and stylists, I jump to 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.
2005
Doylestown, PA
RENOVATION: THE BLUE COTTAGE
I purchase and begin the 3-year renovation of the Blue Cottage.
The computer, design software and digital processing requires less space allowing Arachne Design studio to be built within the Blue Cottage property. The Blue Cottage becomes my home and a hub for all things creative.
1999
Doylestown, PA
1994
Doylestown, PA
SOLO ART SHOW
I have my first solo art exhibit.
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.
It grows quickly, Making connection through my offset printers, it grows quickly. The bulk of my work is creating publications for clients such as The Miss America Organization; Acme Markets, Wegmans Food Markets, Shaw's Supermarket, Weis Markets, Redners and several 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.
1993
King of Prussia, PA
CRITERION COMMUNICATIONS, art director
I am hired as an Art Director for Criterion Communication.
My journey with software expands. Digital photography for professionals is mostly used. Digital video and editing is available to professionals. High resolution scanning and color separation is also available for professionals.
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.
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 New York advertising agencies on national programs and high quality offset printers.
I am hiring talent and purchasing print; and establishing and responsible for project budgets. 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. Digitally creating publications is a dream realized.
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.
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!
