We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Saren Quinn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Saren, appreciate you joining us today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

Cliche as it is, the best investment I have made thus far in terms of both time and money, was myself. Trying to win the validation of my parents has done far more harm to my self-confidence than I ever should have let it. So when I left community college after seven years, now old enough to apply for educational aid without my parents’ income affecting my chances, I chose a for-profit art school. Not for the bachelor’s degree, though that didn’t hurt, but for the organized education. I have played video games and drawn my whole life. But I had no idea where to start if I wanted to make video games and I certainly didn’t feel prepared to leave school. It’s almost seven years since graduation and I continue to find ways to invest in myself and what I want to be doing. I know which of my contacts to network with in helping me start and organize my indie game studio. I have a small storefront for leftover zine merch I designed and a print-on-demand store through Threadless and I could not be more pleased with my creative career’s progress. And all at my own pace.

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

Like many other artists and game designers, I’ve been a fan since a young age. Most of my illustrations are either fanart or related to tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) I play with friends. When the motivation strikes, I apply to fanzines, art exchanges and the like to get my work in front of the eyes of others with similar tastes. At this stage, all my clients are people I’ve known. Which has been a wonderful experience thus far. Being your own marketing team and trying to gain followers with the hope of gaining clients is exhausting. So I keep doing my own thing on the side of my part-time job that pays the bills. What I’m most proud of is my progress. I don’t let fear stop me from experimenting with my style and learning how to do things in a new way that works for me.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

If someone can’t afford to pay an artist/creative, sharing their work is the next best thing. Specifically, through whatever platform their using, not through reposting. Linking back to a portfolio page, website, social media handles, etc is paramount.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I used to believe I was going to work for someone else, in a studio with a recognized name. I’m not opposed to this, and I still apply for jobs in the game industry but I graduated around a time when burnout and other scandals were being written about constantly, and it hasn’t slowed down. I made up my mind to work for myself and make the games I want to be making instead of wait. One job to scratch the analytical itch in my brain and creative projects for the other hemisphere.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artstation.com/lupinaria
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lupinaria
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarenquinn
• Other: https://lupinaria.threadless.com/