We recently connected with Marley Seifert and have shared our conversation below.
Marley, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My mom is someone who gave me a sense of wonder and excitement in this world. When I think of my childhood I think about chasing rainbows and rainstorms, painting in the yard every weekend, and finding “fairy trees” with my mom.
This impacted my journey because I still live with that adventurous spirit – wandering in the mountains, swimming in the alpine lakes, finding inspiration in the little details, and painting whenever I have a moment of free time. I don’t think I would be the creative person that I am today without my mom showing me that there’s magic in this world and there’s so much to do and see!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Colorado mountain artist. I spent my entire high school and college career doodling through every class not wanting to consider a career as an artist (purely because it seemed so unrealistic!!). I opted for an Outdoor Recreation degree in college thinking I was going to be a standup paddle board guide in the Bahamas. I was a photographer for a couple years at some guiding companies outside of Leadville CO (spending ALL free time at work working on my art…luckily my bosses were very wonderful). I resigned from my photography job after I felt like I could make it on my own with my art, and have a more flexible schedule. I’m grateful for that opportunity to get paid to frolic in the mountains taking photos, I received so much inspiration while working those jobs!! Watercolor and ink is my primary medium but I dabble in anything I can get my hands on. Now I’m also a muralist, potterer, and paint on up-cycled windows.
I like to brighten spaces with colorful art that’s inspired by my adventures in nature.
I’m an optimist! Most days everything feels like sunshine and rainbows (I realize that is a dreamworld but my head is usually in the clouds and I’m living my dream).
I like doing hard things – I like the feeling of being bad at stuff! It’s so annoying, but it’s so incredibly rewarding overcoming “sucking” at something.. There’s great problem solving in being a novice and it’s fun seeing tangible progress on projects (like working with a new medium).
I’m most proud of being a young full time artist! I think there’s such a stigma with artists in society that we as creatives can’t make it, I am happy to break that stigma! I quit my job at 22 years old to become a full time artist. I’m really stoked to have started this journey being as young as I am. I have seen my art style evolve over the last couple years and I look forward to what is to come.. I don’t know exactly what that looks like but it’s exciting to think and dream about! I’m really proud of my large projects like the murals in some towns around Colorado. Those pieces really took me out of my comfort zone and I spent a lot of time working on them. It is so much fun seeing my large murals when I’m around town, they feel bright and happy. I remember researching jobs in high school and reading about muralists – I was mind blown that it was a profession and it makes me excited that I have done a handful around the state!
What do you find most rewarding about being creative?
There’s so many rewarding aspects of being an artist but the first one that comes to mind is getting “soul” projects out there and the process of making them. These are things that I make purely for myself. Not every project that I do feels like I’m pouring myself over the paper/canvas/etc. but when something really sparks my creativity and I accomplish it, it’s such a wave of good feelings. My inspiration comes from my experiences and wandering in the mountains, so when I have the opportunity to have my memories flow out onto a paper it’s a wonderful feeling. It’s rewarding when people who weren’t in that moment with me / memory can also connect with my art. I think people can have similar experiences and feelings, so it’s gratifying when it takes other people back to a time in their life as well. I chose this career because this is what I love to do, and if I wasn’t able to pour my soul on a canvas every now and then I don’t think I would want to do this!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think as one small business owner to another – there’s so many opportunities to support creatives! Sometimes it comes down to just connecting people with other people. That could be word of mouth, hosting a little pop-up at your shop, or as easy as sharing your favorite creatives via social media!! I’ve worked with many amazing businesses and people. The support I have received has come in many different colors. A perfect story to build on this answer is I came into Harperrose (a gallery in Leadville) 5 years ago asking to sell my originals . Ann, the owner, was kind enough to let me sell my artwork in the gallery. This gave me a boost of confidence in my work, and when I sold those pieces I made stickers that I sold at that gallery. After a couple of months, I started working there, and started networking with customers and the local business owners. It’s been about 4 years working at the gallery once a week and I have connected with so many great people and connected other artists with clients! It is so fulfilling and makes me excited about the future.
If Ann wouldn’t have let me sell my artwork there 5 years ago, I don’t think I would be where I am today. The domino effect over the years with networking and getting to know the community here, helped get my name out and helped my business grow.
I think sometimes the answer to supporting “creatives” is easier than it might seem.. People make up a society- so share your favorite creators, talk about them, connect them with people!
Contact Info:
- Website: marleyseifertdesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: @marleyseifertdesigns
- Facebook: Marley Seifert Designs
Image Credits
2nd photo-Ned Warner