Sabr Lateefuddin

Sabr Lateefuddin has been drawing ever since she could pick up a pencil.

“I always knew I wanted to share my talents with the people around me,” she said. “I really enjoy challenging myself creatively and trying new things for the sake of having new experiences and meeting people.”

Lateefuddin, a sophomore design major at Winthrop University, no longer picks up solely a pencil: she picks up graphite, paint, a computer mouse, charcoal…anything to make unique art under her art business, Blu Velv3t. Her works encompass everything from chibi- and anime-inspired characters, detailed graphite portraits, ambitious still-lifes, and even commissioned work for Vampire Penguin, an ice cream shop in downtown Rock Hill.

“I want to emulate the mysteriousness and intricacy of gothic and alternative fashion in my art and in my branding,” Lateefuddin said. “My art is for anyone and everyone!”

In addition to the work at Vampire Penguin, Lateefuddin has extended her artistic reach downtown at Student-Made Rock Hill, located at The Hickory Post. As part of Student-Made, she sells original pieces at the physical shop and online.

Though she was born in Orlando, Florida, Lateefuddin has mainly grown up in Pineville, North Carolina, which she describes as an "artsy town." She wanted to continue that focus on art by enrolling at Winthrop. 

"One of my main goals before starting college was to make a name for myself through my work," she said. "With the help of Winthrop’s staff and services around campus, I was able to make this dream a reality."

She first began scanning her work at Dacus Library, then reached out to Printing Services for assistance with business cards and copies of her work to sell.

"Every logo and graphic design I’ve created has been with the help of my Adobe subscription provided by Winthrop," she said. "I’ve learned so many valuable tips and tricks from my professors that I will keep with me for the rest of my career, and I have met lots of wonderful people!"