We were lucky to catch up with Wendy Trattner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

After graduating from MIT as a mechanical engineer, I began my career working at some of the most exciting cleantech startups in San Francisco. It was everything I thought I wanted—meaningful work, incredible teams, and a clear path to a successful career. But something felt off. Even though I was doing everything I had dreamed of, I just wasn’t happy.

For three years, I worked at these amazing startups, but I found myself spending all my free time creating art on the floor of my apartment. I began participating in art shows and constantly wished I had more time to devote to it. I realized my passion for art was stronger than my love for engineering, and if I wanted to reach my full potential, I’d need to go all in.

In January, I took a huge leap and quit my job to pursue art full-time. It was terrifying, but I couldn’t ignore the voice telling me that art was my true path. I rented a studio, started sharing my art journey on social media, and poured myself into creating. Almost immediately, I felt a deeper sense of fulfillment and a joy I’d never experienced before.

Since then, my work has evolved, and I’ve received more sales and commissions than ever before. It’s been challenging, but I’ve never felt more aligned with my passion and purpose.

Wendy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Wendy Trattner, an emerging abstract artist based in San Francisco. My journey began at a young age—a path shaped by a deeply personal tragedy when my father took my mother’s life. Art became my refuge in a world that suddenly felt chaotic and confusing, and it ignited a lifelong quest for meaning through both creative expression and scientific understanding.
Initially, I channeled this search into engineering, graduating from MIT and working at cutting-edge cleantech startups focused on sustainability. I was building a successful mechanical engineering career, but art was always there, calling me back. For years, I painted on the side, feeling torn between two worlds. Eventually, I realized art wasn’t just a hobby; it was my purpose.
Earlier this year, I took the leap and left engineering to pursue art full-time. Since then, I’ve been sharing my journey on Instagram, using my platform to connect with people who resonate with my experience. As a self-taught artist, I know how inaccessible the art world can seem. I want my work to feel open and relatable, inviting anyone to see its value—no special training or credentials needed. I believe art should speak directly to the human experience, cutting through barriers of knowledge or status.
My goal is to create pieces that explore complex emotions while offering beauty, hope, and healing in a world filled with negativity. I’m most proud when my work inspires people to pause, reflect, and find a bit of light. Taking this leap has been challenging, but seeing my art resonate deeply with others confirms that I’m on the right path.
Ultimately, my journey is one of resilience, hope, and transformation. And that’s what I aim to communicate through every piece I create: the courage to confront pain and the beauty of emerging stronger.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Something I heard all the time growing up was that ‘art isn’t a real career.’ My experience in the education system taught me that everything had a right and wrong answer. There is a right way to do things, a right interpretation, a right way to live. There is even such thing as a ‘good’ career, which is defined by money and status.

I’ve worked hard to unlearn this idea. As I’ve gained more life experience and seen more of the world, I’ve come to believe one simple truth: Life is short, and we should live it with intention.

A better definition of success is whether you follow the things that make you happy, and whether you live boldly without regrets.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There are 2 main podcasts which helped me on my entrepreneurial journey: The Dream Bigger Podcast with Siff Haider, and the Art Marketing Podcast.

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome when starting my business as an artist was my own mind, and believing that I was capable of doing it. Both of these podcasts gave me the confidence and encouragement I needed to take risks and keep going.

The Dream Bigger Podcast gave me my first ever role models of successful entrepreneurial women and showed me that it’s possible to succeed while leaning into feminine ways of doing things. The Art Marketing Podcast gave me tangible tips and learnings about selling art, and helped me think of my art as a business separate from my creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wendytrattnerart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendytratt/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wtratt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wendytratt
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wendy-trattner-art-and-design-san-francisco-2

Image Credits

Wendy Trattner