We recently connected with Elisabeth Marette and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Elisabeth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

Vincent stands out as the best boss I’ve ever had, and having him guide me at the beginning of my professional journey was both an extraordinary stroke of luck and an unforeseen challenge. It was fortunate because, thanks to him because, under his leadership, I gained early insights into what it truly means to be an exceptional manager—an invaluable lesson that has resonated throughout my career. Simultaneously, it proved challenging as I naively believed that such leadership was the norm, and regrettably, I didn’t encounter many others like him afterward.

Let me share a particular story from the time Vincent was my boss. I was working in marketing for a large American cosmetics company, still in the early stages of my professional life. Confidence and experience were in short supply, leading to moments of self-doubt in comparison to my more seasoned colleagues. Driven to excel, I pushed myself relentlessly, only to realize later the impossibility of mastering every aspect. I vividly remember a pivotal conversation with Vincent at that moment where he presented two strategic paths: either being reasonably good in everything or, as he eloquently put it, “cultivating my edge”—striving for exceptionalism in what made me unique. It was a revelation, a turning point where I gained clarity on my value and chose to cultivate my distinct strengths rather than choosing to be average at everything.

But, beyond enlightening me on this point, Vincent actively facilitated this process in our day-to-day operations by reallocating team responsibilities based on individual strengths, ensuring collective success.

I have never forgotten that lesson, and when later I managed teams myself, I made it a priority to understand their strengths and differences so that our team could be greater than the sum of its parts, embodying the idea that 1+1 equals 3.

Vincent’s leadership not only shaped my professional trajectory but also inspired me to create environments where everyone’s unique qualities are recognized and utilized for collective success. This experience has been a guiding light throughout my career, reinforcing the belief in the transformative power of effective leadership.

Elisabeth, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Elisabeth, but in the artistic world, I go by Zabé—a name that has stuck with me since childhood, used affectionately by those who know and love me. Growing up in France, my fascination with hands-on activities, encompassing colors, textures, and shapes, has been a lifelong passion. From an early age, I have dedicated my time to sewing, extensive drawing, and repurposing old wallpaper sample catalogs to craft intricate 3D boxes. Despite these artistic inclinations, my professional journey took a different turn. After graduating from a business school, I spent over a decade working in Marketing for Cosmetics companies and later transitioned into data and digital consulting for a few years. Quite a shift, I know.

Yet, perhaps there is a connection after all. The edge I cultivated early in my career revolves around creativity, aesthetic sensibility, rhythm, and balance. In the corporate world, this manifested in visuals, texts, advertisements, and concepts. Today, it finds expression on canvases and papers through paint, collage, brushes, pencils, and various tools.

In 2019, my husband’s job led us to Los Angeles. Departing from my role as a Partner in a data consulting firm, we embarked on a journey with our two children to the other side of the world. This period of profound change became an opportunity to hit pause on the wheel of my life and reconnect with the creative pursuits I had neglected. I painted smiles to counter the gloom of the pandemic, explored and learned new techniques during lockdown, and nurtured my mental health by infusing color and paper onto canvases. It felt like reuniting with a long-lost friend, and we had much to catch up on. Encouraged by the positive feedback on my work, I decided to turn my passion into my profession.

My art draws inspiration from subjects that resonate with me—places, people, and experiences. Each one triggers a kaleidoscope of sensations and colors in my mind. Rather than capturing absolute reality, I aim to convey the emotions behind it, hoping to evoke similar feelings in observers.

While I explore a diverse range of subjects, portraits remain my favorite theme. I’m captivated by human expressions, whether from well-known faces or those unknown. The fleeting emotions translated through a gaze, a smile, or a raised eyebrow fascinate me. A true jack-of-all-trades, I enjoy experimenting with various mediums and techniques, often mixing them. My most recognizable body of work combines different papers and paint, creating unexpected interactions that result in sensory and captivating universes, immersing observers in a state of contemplation.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One aspect of my creative journey that may be challenging for non-creatives to grasp is the unpredictable nature of creativity. Unlike a switch that can be flipped on demand, there’s no magical button to press for creative ideas to flow effortlessly. People often ask me to draw something or come up with an idea as if it’s a simple task, but the reality is far from that. Sometimes my mind is brimming with ideas, and I’m overwhelmed by where to start. Other times, it feels like a blank canvas – empty, devoid of inspiration. Navigating this artistic path involves dealing with this intangible and sometimes elusive aspect of creativity.

When inspiration seems to elude me, I take the opportunity to tackle less creative tasks that still need attention. I also read, explore art exhibitions, and fill my mind with diverse images. It’s a way to stay productive even when the muse is silent.

Yet, when inspiration strikes, I grab onto its thread and hold tight because, the truth is I can always sense when it’s leaving, but I never know when it will return. It’s a delicate dance with the creative process, understanding that its ebb and flow are part of the journey. So, the challenge for non-creatives lies in appreciating that creativity has its own rhythm and cannot be summoned at will – it’s a nuanced journey filled with both moments of abundance and moments of quiet reflection.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, one immensely rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to make our perception of the world visible and, in doing so, connect with souls who share a similar sensitivity. When someone chooses to hang one of my pieces in their space, it’s like a piece of me accompanies them. I feel a profound sense of gratitude when my art has the power to evoke emotions and feelings in others. It’s a beautiful exchange where my creative expression resonates with someone else’s emotions, creating a connection that transcends words.

On a more practical note, I also value the flexibility and freedom that this artistic journey affords me, especially in comparison to my experiences in other environments. The adventure of being an artist allows me the space to explore and create on my terms, unrestricted by the conventional boundaries that may exist in other fields. This freedom not only fuels my creative process but also enhances the overall experience of expressing myself artistically.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zabearts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zabe.arts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zabe.arts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethmarette/

Image Credits
Photos by Tamsin Carriere