CREATING COMMUNITY WITH SUMMER ROGERS
I began painting in high school and making pieces for family and friends upon request. As I made more and more pieces, I was encouraged to begin selling some of my art after recently returning from a mission trip to Haiti as a means to pay for my trip back after falling in love with the children there. My inspiration today still comes from the opportunity to return and serve the children in the Cambry Orphanage in Southern Haiti. Because of Summer Doodles, I have been able to fund the last 3 of my 4 trips, and I am so eager to return.
I am so excited to announce that what I earned through the Student-Made Store this holiday season has funded my fifth trip back!
Once I raise the amount I need to pay for my trip and any of the supplies I need, I love having the opportunity to do more in my community here at home. I think it is so special to serve others and I love that the Lord continues to provide through Summer Doodles so that I can give back. In the future, I would love to sponsor a child in the Cambry Orphanage and continue to look for opportunities like this one at home as well. By sharing my art with more people, which I of COURSE love to see pieces in their new homes, I am so inspired to think of all that I would be able to do simply by sharing more Doodles.
Painting and writing calligraphy not only brings me peace, but I truly feel that each piece brings joy to those receiving my art. Therefore, I knew turning this God-given talent that I love so much into a business was a perfect step for me. It has been a blessing to see the way He has provided since I first began selling my art and I eagerly await to see what else He has in store for me.
About the inspiration behind the artwork itself— I love painting pets, bright colors and of course collegiate pieces! I think the most powerful thing I can do with my art is capture the highlights in people’s lives – whether that’s a beloved pet, a special place or memory all the way to birthdays, graduations, weddings and so much more!
USC has played a major role in my art, as it has the best fan culture of any school in the country. There really is something about being in Williams-Brice Stadium on a Saturday night… and the success of the Willy B print goes to show it! Undoubtedly my most popular piece, I love that my experience as a student and lifelong Gamecock fan shaped my favorite work of art and displays the culmination of months and months of dreaming, creativity, and incredibly tedious work. The result is a piece I doubt I’ll ever be able to part with – but I am so grateful to share it with all of the fellow Gamecocks that I can.
Running a one-woman business as a full-time college student has taught me many invaluable lessons. From customer service, social media marketing and content creation to creating time to take, create and fill orders, I have definitely been busy! I feel so blessed to see these benefits through my art all while continuing my education. My art has also allowed me to meet and connect with young women all across the state and meet countless customers who come back for more Doodles for different life events. It is certainly sweet as an artist to be trusted to celebrate life’s big moments.
My main goal in joining the Student Made Store was simply to spread my work with a larger audience than the one I already had. I have been so pleasantly surprised by the success of these prints, and this is a perfect illustration of the Lord working beyond anything I would have expected.
As far as the future of Summer Doodles, I am so excited to hear there will be an Alumni section of this store! It has been such a relief to be able to focus on school as I round out my final college chapter this semester, and still have my work being sold.
I am eager for the day I can have a studio to paint and devote more time to the creative process. While I intend to finish school and get a job in the Broadcast world, I love the freedom I find in painting and that I will always have it. One day, I would love to paint full time and offer commissions, prints, and other merchandise. As I’ve said, the ability to capture the highest and most celebrated moments, memories and people in my customer’s lives means so much to me.
I am so grateful for this business, the relationships I’ve gained, and the opportunity to expand my art beyond my own University to create pieces for the other schools the Student-Made Store supports.
Of course, with each year that comes I will spend a week in Haiti serving and loving on the children there. If I were able to raise enough money, I have dreamed of providing art supplies and teaching the kids when I go. It’s amazing how something as simple as a paintbrush can impact someone’s life, and I hope to share the positivity and hope that painting gives me with anyone I can.