Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pete Morelewicz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Pete, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

The kindest thing for any creative is probably trust. Trust that they know what they’re doing. Trust to give them the space and freedom to operate. Trust that what comes out will be better than what either of you imagined.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Fredericksburg, Virginia-based artist and graphic designer. Over time, my business has morphed into three categories: design services for outside clients, a line of original retail goods that I sell locally, and larger one-off artworks that I show at galleries and restaurants.

My work is primarily, and purposefully, focused in my community. Nearly all of my clients are within 10 miles and they range from large academic institutions to individuals who have a fun project in mind. I draw both inspiration and motivation from my community, and prioritize local design. I want to see the community flourish and am happy anytime I can make a contribution to that. Civic pride drives what I do.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Aside from the creative joy of making a piece of art, I’ve found a deep satisfaction in seeing that art bring happiness to others. I have studio space in town where I can interact with folks coming to browse. And just seeing that they’ve taken the time to prioritize looking at art is telling. On the surface, art may seem “extra”. Art doesn’t feed us. It doesn’t clothe us. It doesn’t shelter us. But it can bring us a profound sense of joy. So the act of going out and looking at (or buying) art is an act of self love. It speaks to the importance of finding happiness in our everyday lives. To be an artist and to be a small part of someone else’s self-love is immensely gratifying. 

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I was studying architecture in college, I spent a lot of time on my design classes. And who wouldn’t? They were fun, engaging, and way more creative than that boring economics class requirement. I basically gave short shrift to any class that didn’t involve design. I thought I was doing myself a favor by concentrating only on what I thought would help me in my career as an architect.

Well, fast-forward a few decades and I am not an architect. And all of those classes that I ignored? I’m finding that a well-rounded education is critical to owning a business. That education needn’t be in a formal academic setting — it’s simply the act of being open-minded and gobbling up all of the knowledge you can on a variety of subjects.

Clients want creatives to be really good at what we do. And we should. We should be the most knowledgeable in the room about our speciality. But we should also be able to meet a client where they are. If they want to talk about the economics of their business, or the psychology of their audience, or the logistics of shipping, we should know enough to hold that conversation. Looking back, I wish I’d paid more attention to totality of my education — even that damn economics class.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.printjazz.com/
• Instagram: @printjazz

Image Credits

Portrait by Aaron Spicer