Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marcella Kriebel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marcella, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects that I involve myself with is making public art- large scale, murals. when I make them in the Pacific Northwest, I have the great fortune to collaborate with my two parents who are both artists to0. My dad is a woodworker and draftsman and my mom is a fiber artist and has a degree and an apparel design.

We’ve now made a three together in my hometown of Forest Grove, Oregon, which is 38 miles west of Portland. Their support has really been instrumental to the success of these major projects.

We’re able to use their enclosed walk-in trailer as a mobile art station, where we can keep the paints overnight so they can stay on location. It’s much easier to set up and take down each morning during a project that takes say, 6 to 8 days to complete. with this trailer set up!

One of my mom’s many talents is mixing paint colors, and so I always task her to help me assemble the palette of hues for the murals- dozens of yogurt containers all meticulously labeled with paint names. Dad loves to hold a paintbrush and smear paint on the wall, so he’s often in charge of rendering all the large-scale blueberries, or drop shadows, for example. He also is critical in the setup and takedown of the scaffolding we own!

I know my parents are really proud of me in my 12-year career as a self-employed artist. It’s a total joy to involve them in my professional one avenue of my work, painting murals. We’re all involved in beautifying a place that we care about deeply and that is so gratifying-it’s a ton of fun to create and facilitate tangible pieces of art that are larger than life, alongside my family.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my self-employed art career with an illustrated cookbook project that celebrates recipes from my travels throughout Latin America. I was able to successfully crowd-fund this project to realize it’s publishing in 2012. After the project released, I started to create watercolors to complement these vibrant illustrated recipes that illuminate the pages of this book project. Over a decade later I’m the author and illustrator of three books and have a series of open-edition art prints called Illustrated Feast, this series of mix-and-match watercolors celebrate food and its mini forms. These pieces of art act as portals into cooking experiences, what’s in season, celebrate culture through the lens of what we eat. I own and operate my own retail shop and gallery in Washington, DC where we sell my creative goods including the Illustrated Feast series of art prints. (now over 200 designs), my illustrated books, plus vibrant kitchen towels, and stationery featuring my designs. We also sell a variety of foodie-adjacent gift products for creatives and cooks.

While my offerings have grown, I continue to do client work on a select basis I love making large-scale, murals, and I also enjoy meaningful collaborations with nonprofits and institutions like World Central Kitchen, the Smithsonian, and authors like James Beard award-winning food writer, Michael Ruhlman.

I call Hood River, Oregon my home half the year, where I teach workshops in person at my favorite local art supply store, Tokki Art Supply. I also hold watercolor basics classes in Washington, DC and have had the pleasure of sharing my skills with some very amazing Mid-Atlantic locals like Dr. Anthony Faucci.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I aim to engage creativity, champion in the narrative and contribute to our world as best I know how, with integrity all through my art.

There’s so many opportunities to collaborate with others, which keeps me constantly inspired on my creative journey. What we eat, what others are craving, food trends -these are all inroads or bridges to other people, cultures, and communities.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Here’s a few books that I reference and recommend:

Story Driven, You Don’t Need to Compete When You Know Who You Are

All people have a unique sensibility, and when you’re able to express that through narration, you are inherently showing others your distinct identity. Demonstrating who you are happens naturally when you share your journey and how you experience the world around you. No need to compete. I highly recommend this book.

Just So. Money Materialism and the Ineffable, Intelligent Universe.

The incomparable author Alan Watts shares many ideas here – he examines how we in the contemporary western world see physical goods money, work and play compared to other cultures throughout the globe and history. Think about this excerpt: “money isn’t practical until you spend it, more importantly, enjoy it”

Braiding Sweetgrass. Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants.

This book gets at what it’s all about. Not just for nature enthusiasts- trust me. Author Robin Wall shares a series of stories that reveal the more global perspective of living and how seeing things holistically will make us all better people- more able to learn and understand the world around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marcellakriebel.com
• Instagram: @marcellakriebel
• Facebook: /marcellakriebelart