Meet Maria Filar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Filar. 

Hi Maria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Metro Detroit and attended art school in Detroit (College for Creative Studies). I actually started out as a fine arts major because I didn’t really know much about the different career options in art. I switched to illustration after one semester and it was a much better fit for me and my style. Immediately after graduating in 2009, I was able to get an internship at a stationery and scrapbooking company which opened up a whole new world of career options that I wasn’t aware of while attending art school. I spent a few years working there and learning more about the industry until 2012 when I moved to Chicago to work as a designer for a major national stationery and gift retailer, which at the time was my dream job. In 2018 I decided working for a major company was no longer fulfilling, I took a leap of faith and left my job to go freelance. I spent about a year doing odd freelance design jobs, taking the time to figure out exactly what I wanted to do. In 2019 I started my business, 5 Eye Studio, and began selling products and designs that were completely my own voice. The pandemic changed the trajectory for me a bit, because I decided to move back to the Detroit area to be closer to family. Here I am today, still figuring things out as I go, but I can’t imagine working for anyone but myself ever again! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, but I think that’s just how life works. There was a lot of self-doubt, a lot of feelings of Imposter Syndrome (which never goes away, newsflash!) There’s always going to be risk when relying on yourself to earn income. Especially when the pandemic started, there was so much fear and uncertainty that nobody was going to need my services at all. There is still a lot of struggle for me personally comparing myself and my career trajectory to other creatives in my field, feeling like I should be more “successful” than I am. I think that mindset is completely normal and something that almost everyone feels but just doesn’t talk about. The only thing that I can control is not letting those feelings go unchecked – as long as I can keep a roof over my head and pay my bills, especially during everything that’s going on in the world right now, is all that matters to me. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is heavily influenced by graphic design, colors, fashion, and typography of the 1960s and ’70s. That era produced so much amazing design! Art from that time was often paired with an increased focus on activism which really speaks to me

The majority of my work focuses on mental health and much of it stands as a visual personal diary. Many of the things I draw and talk about are not only reminders for others, but for myself. Sometimes it can be so hard to give yourself the same space that you would give a friend or loved one, and I aim to bridge that gap with my work. And I love to be weird too – that’s the beauty of creating things for myself. Many of the items I sell in my shop are quirky and kind of snarky because sometimes inspirational quotes can feel a little cheesy and sweet. I like to rough it up with my dry sense of humor! And there is always an audience for it – stay true to yourself and your people will find you.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Connection. I have always struggled with anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Knowing that my artwork serves as a source of connection and comfort for others keeps me going on the days (and sometimes weeks) when I feel insignificant and small. 

Contact Info:

• Email: shop5eyestudio@gmail.com
• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/5eyestudio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariafilar/
• Other: https://5eyestudio.threadless.com/

Image Credits
Maria Filar