Meet Sydney LaCom | Illustrator, Founder of Seenee Scribbles

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydney LaCom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydney, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I am a big believer in the idea that cultivating relationships with others is the heart of Seenee Scribbles. I once tried to follow in other artists’ footsteps, admiring their cut-throat, self-promoting approaches to business. However, I’ve slowly begun to realize that boasting about your self-sufficiency does not serve anyone except yourself and can all too easily lead to burn-out with no one to turn to. I refuse to call Seenee Scribbles a one-woman business because the phrase fails to mention the numerous individuals who have made me who I am today – including my family, my friends, and every single customer I’ve had the pleasure of serving. Financial success is good – building a lasting legacy and community is better.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One of the biggest challenges besides giving up a steady income in 2021 has been dealing with discouraging experiences. If a customer complains that my work is overpriced, it feels impossible not to take it personally. Art is such a personal craft, after all – I can’t just hire someone to deal with customer complaints and forget about it. What has helped me be able to at least accept the criticism and move forward is to think about the big picture: this complaint hurts to hear, but does it reflect the views of several customers, or is it an isolated incident? Is there any truth to be learned from what the customer said, or was it all false? Does their complaint affect my progress on my long-term goals? Most of the time, a bad experience is one out of several more great experiences. Fixing my eyes on what I want to be helps me get past the speed bumps.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It depends on whether or not you’re an introvert like me. I personally love the giant Barnes & Noble nearby because I can read or draw at the tables with the quiet buzz of bookworms around me. I also enjoy visiting the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena for inspiration and a peaceful walk.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I never attended art school, so my biggest heroes aren’t necessarily teachers or mentors within my craft. Rather, I thank my family and friends for being constant reminders that I am ultimately on this Earth to serve God – not myself.

Website: seeneescribbles.com

Instagram: @seeneescribbles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@seeneescribbles