Today we’d like to introduce you to Seran Otterson
Hi Sean, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my mural painting and interior design consultation business in MN in 2016. However, this is my 4th country and 3rd continent where I have established a small business. My story begins way before then. I started working in this field in 1997, shortly after I started studying at the College of Fine Arts and Design in Istanbul, where I am originally from. I decided to pursue my profession as an artist when I was around 13 years old. I also knew that Italy had to be a part of my career in the future, so I started learning Italian. One of my professors, an interior designer, asked me to work with him as his wall designer. This began my passion and career in wall design and mural painting. I spent my summers in Italy practicing Italian and taking art classes to learn various wall design application techniques.
2000, after my bachelor’s degree, I moved to Italy to design commercial tiles for Italian tile manufacturers. After my first year in Bologna, I wanted to explore the traditional Italian tile techniques and designs, so I moved to Naples, south Italy. From fresco restoration to decorative painting, creating ceramic wall panels to hand-decorated tile designed for 3 years, I have experienced various disciplines that serve interior architecture and design, but my focal point has always been walls. In 2004, I opened my ceramic studio with a dear friend, and we established a small business of ceramic wall panels for interiors and exteriors.
In 2007, I got a scholarship to study for a master’s degree in Fine Arts and Design in Istanbul. In 2008, with a scholarship from the European Union, I was transferred to Spain to study for part of my master’s degree at the University of Seville. I had the chance to research Andalucian Tiles, Moorish Tiles, and Mediterranean Tile Design for 2 years and established a design company to design commercial tiles for Spanish Tile Manufacturers. Shortly after I moved back to Turkey and finished my master’s degree in 2012, I married my husband from Minnesota and became a Minnesotan!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can not say it has been a smooth ride, but it has been fun! During my career, I have explored many cultures and learned much about life and myself. We know the best when we leave our comfort zone and challenge ourselves with external factors. That is when the internal growth happens. I was familiar with all the obstacles when I moved to Mn, USA, in 2012. Here, the whole game changed. It was a cultural shock, but also, here, I became a first-time mother. My son challenged me and changed me like nothing ever before.
As an artist and a free spirit, I had always been ready to move to a different phase or change the scenery, but for the first time, I was stuck in a house with snow that had gotten up to my throat outside for so long. I felt like I had to put away my wings somewhere in the garage, and they were only supposed to collect dust. Who knew for how long? And this was the beginning of my “reborn from ashes” career! In 2016, it was time for me to get back to work. Also, I felt like a big part of me. My creative side was on the same shelf as my wing in the garage. Hence, a big part of me was missing.
There were no tile manufacturers, so I established a mural painting company. Many people told me this is not a mural-friendly state, not open to new things, etc. It didn’t take me long to understand that they were not that wrong! I was getting a lot of interior design consultation requests; homeowners appreciated the service, so I provided color and interior design consultations for Minnesotan homeowners. I helped homeowners decide on colors and materials for their remodeling projects. Although I truly enjoyed this service, I needed to be more about it. Last December, I turned 46 and decided to pursue my big passion! I want to climb on ladders and transform the walls, hence the interiors, as long as my body will let me. Being a full-time wall designer and mural artist is not easy in Mn, but I have no reason for not reaching my goal.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I was so proud of my career when I was published as a tile designer in Europe’s most popular tile magazine. The magazine is based in Spain and Valencia; however, it is translated into 8 languages and delivered worldwide. That was a very proud moment for me. But my proudest moment hasn’t arrived yet! I want to be recognized as one of the best wall designers or mural artists in the United States. What sets me apart from the others is my multicultural background. I am a big fan of Mediterranean Arts and Crafts and love creating new patterns that modernize my heritage.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
My advice to those just starting out is to find your true passion and strive to be the best version of yourself with it. Ambition is important, but it’s equally crucial to remember why you started and to keep the joy in what you do. Losing the fun is a high price to pay, and it’s one I’ve learned to avoid.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rumimurals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rumihandpaintedmurals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imuralmn
