Former Google Software Engineer Quits to Pursue Watercolor Art Career
Sara Wilczynska, a former software engineer at Google, made a surprising career shift from tech to art. Born in Warsaw in the 1980s during communist Poland, she completed a master's degree in computer science at the University of Warsaw with studies in Barcelona and Edinburgh. At 25, she moved to London to work as a software engineer at an investment bank for nearly five years before joining Google in Zurich in 2015. After about a year and a half, she relocated to New York on a US work visa, working on the search engine's news section. Despite excellent professional conditions, including flexible work arrangements and numerous perks, Wilczynska felt increasingly disconnected as her role shifted from coding to high-level meetings, leading to an unsustainable pace.
The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic when she moved to San Diego with her partner, Valentina. Immersed in nature, she slowed down and sought balance, initially trying to address her dissatisfaction through voice healing, diversity initiatives at Google, and reduced work hours, but none resolved the core issue. In late 2022, she resigned from Google and embarked on a year-long journey mainly through Southeast Asia, with stops in Australia and New Zealand. Spending six months on Thailand's Koh Tao island, she discovered watercolor painting, learning through online courses and daily practice. Her paintings, depicting island scenes, resonated with buyers who shared their memories of the place.
After the trip, Wilczynska committed fully to art, establishing Swil Arts studio in San Diego. She creates original watercolor illustrations and transforms them into prints and home goods. Her days are split between painting in the mornings and managing business, client relations, and website content in the afternoons. Her income now comes from direct sales, wholesale collaborations with boutique stores, and custom commissions for individuals and brands. Although her earnings do not match her previous Google salary, she redefined success as impacting people rather than productivity or output.
