Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fabio Marinho. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Fabio thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it wasn’t an overnight success. My journey with art began when I was very young, sketching cartoons on walls and constantly challenging myself to recreate them with colored pencils. Supported by my family, I often drew portraits for my relatives, earning small rewards. However, as I grew older, I followed a corporate career in technology and education, moving away from art for many years.
In 2015, after a year filled with challenges and turbulence in relationships, I felt the urge to reconnect with art as a way to process my emotions. I painted a portrait that helped reignite my passion for creation. A few months later, when David Bowie, one of my idols, passed away, I felt compelled to paint a tribute to him. I posted the painting on Facebook, not expecting much, but to my surprise, someone from Scotland reached out asking to buy it. This was my first art sale, and it marked the beginning of my journey back to the art world.
From there, word began to spread. People started commissioning me to create portraits and custom pieces based on their photos, and every piece I created brought new opportunities. I also began making videos of my painting process, which helped build engagement on social media. Even though I was still working full-time in the corporate world, painting during evenings and weekends, I consistently had at least one commission per week.
By 2016, my passion for art had become so strong that I balanced both my full-time job and painting, producing over 500 pieces of art during those years. Along the way, I received invitations to paint live at weddings and events, which added a new dimension to my work and brought me into new creative spaces.
Finally, in September 2023, after years of juggling both worlds, I made the decision to leave my corporate career behind and fully dedicate myself to living from my art. It was a leap of faith, but it felt like the right time. I had developed a consistent client base, professionalized my ordering system, and enhanced my website. At the start of 2024, I moved from São Paulo to Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States with my wife, who is a scientist. Together, we find inspiration at the intersection of art and science, which has been a source of creativity and growth for both of us. Since moving, I’ve created over 30 commissioned works here.
Looking back, the process wasn’t immediate, but each step — from my first painting after those challenges in 2015 to moving to the U.S. — was crucial. If I knew then what I know now, I might have sped things up by focusing earlier on building an online presence and creating a more structured business model. However, the journey itself has been rewarding, and I wouldn’t change the experiences that have shaped me as an artist.
Fabio, 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 am a Brazilian artist living in the United States, and my journey in the art world has been filled with passion, emotion, and a deep connection to the people I create for. My work goes beyond mere decoration; it has the power to elevate the vibrations of everyone who contemplates it, as well as all those involved in its creation. I believe that art is a bridge between emotions and eternity, capturing special moments and immortalizing them in a way that transcends time.
My creative process is entirely personalized. I take the ideas and desires of my clients and transform them into unique pieces of art that carry deep meaning. Many of my commissions come from clients who ask me to paint their loved ones, including those who have passed away, combining them in a new way with their family members in recent photographs. This allows them to create a powerful visual representation of togetherness, even across time. Others ask me to paint portraits of their pets, who hold a special place in their hearts. There is always an emotional connection, as clients often commission my work as a gift or to create a surprise for someone they love.
In addition to these intimate pieces, I also create paintings that commemorate significant milestones in people’s lives. Many clients commission works to celebrate career changes, anniversaries, or long-standing professional achievements. Through my paintings, I help them mark these life-defining moments, creating a lasting tribute to their personal or professional journey.
What truly sets me apart, beyond technique, is the energy and emotion I pour into each piece. I don’t just paint a picture; I infuse every project with my soul. I understand that these artworks will carry my energy, mixed with that of the client, creating something uniquely powerful and emotional. I believe that’s what makes my work resonate so deeply with people — it’s not just about the visual appeal, but the feeling it evokes and the stories it tells.
I also have the honor of performing live painting at events, such as weddings, where I capture the essence of the moment in real-time. This allows me to be fully present and create something spontaneous and beautiful that becomes a part of the celebration itself.
What I am most proud of is that my work not only brings joy and beauty into people’s lives but also serves as a personal and emotional connection between my clients and the subjects of the paintings. I want people to know that when they commission a painting from me, they’re not just getting a piece of art — they’re getting a work of love, emotion, and energy that will forever hold significance for them.
My mission is to continue creating art that transcends the visual, elevating both spaces and spirits. Each painting is an eternal reminder of special moments, emotions, and connections.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Resilience has been one of the most important characteristics in my journey as an artist. When you feel a strong sense of purpose, it becomes the driving force that helps you overcome the challenges along the way. Many times, the greatest obstacles I faced were not external, but emotional — challenges imposed by my own thoughts and feelings. Life is a dance of constant cycles, highs and lows, and navigating those waves has taught me a lot about myself and my creative process.
Our thoughts have immense power. They can either propel us forward into action or completely block us, creatively and otherwise. There were moments when I felt stuck, where I couldn’t find the energy to begin a project, and I would tell myself that I was experiencing “creative block.” But in reality, it was more about my mindset than any external factor. It took a lot of resilience to push past those moments — to sit down, clear my mind, and start working, even when I didn’t feel inspired or motivated. And in that process of taking action, I would often find that the creative energy returned to me.
One of the most important tools that has helped me in this process is meditation. Meditation has been a powerful practice in my life, helping me to calm my mind and reset when I feel overwhelmed or creatively blocked. It allows me to reconnect with my purpose, clear away the mental clutter, and regain focus. Through meditation, I’ve learned that resilience is not about always feeling strong, but about having the ability to move forward even when you feel stuck, trusting that the creative flow will come back once you begin.
I’ve had to practice this form of resilience many times in my journey, especially during moments of self-doubt or uncertainty. But each time I’ve pushed through, I’ve been reminded of the importance of showing up, of starting even when things feel hard, and trusting in the process. That’s what resilience looks like to me — the ability to keep going, to keep creating, no matter what obstacles come your way, knowing that each step forward brings you closer to fulfilling your purpose.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Honestly, everything is exactly as it should be. Nothing is out of place, and nothing should be different than it is. This has become a kind of mantra for me, and I truly believe that. There’s no resource or piece of knowledge that I wish I had learned earlier because every step of the journey has value. Even the challenges of not having certain information or resources at a given moment are part of the process — they push you to seek, to learn, and to grow.
If I’m answering these questions now, it’s because I trust that my words might resonate with at least one person, and that’s enough. There’s a purpose to everything, and in time, those who need to hear something will receive it. The key, for me, is learning to accept things as they are and to surrender to the process. That helps focus my energy and attention on what truly matters: self-awareness and embracing all emotions that arise along the way.
By accepting everything as it is, we allow ourselves to fully experience the journey and trust that things unfold at the right time. This mindset has been a powerful resource for me, teaching me that resilience, patience, and surrender are far more valuable than any external tool or resource. It’s about focusing on the present moment, trusting in the process, and continuing to learn and grow from everything that comes our way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fabiomarinho.com
- Instagram: @fabiomarinhoart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabiomarinhoart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabio-marinho
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fabiomarinho45
Image Credits
Fabio Marinho