We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marissa McShepard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marissa below.
Hi Marissa, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The risk I’d like to discuss today is the biggest risk, and probably the only real risk that I’ve ever taken: quitting my full time job to become a full time artist. I had the perfect set up: the remote 9-5, living in a city booming and full of artistic opportunities. Well networked, board member of an up and coming arts district, hosting events and participating in even more, always booked and busy. The best of both worlds, living the dream, right? Wrong. On the surface I felt blessed for the life I built, so why complain? But on the inside, I was deeply unhappy. The treatment of employees at my job from both sides of management and the people we served continue to get worse and worse, and it really reflected on my daily life. I began to isolate myself and lay on my couch watching each day pass by, dreading waking up the next morning to do it again. Home, office, passion work, all in one place, dictated by the everyday grind, and all feeling stagnant. At this point, I had passed my one year cut off mark in which I promised myself I would have left my job and became sustained on my art and creative career alone. It wasn’t just passed, it was creeping up upon 2 years instead. After so long of not just simply feeling unfulfilled, but the literal life and energy being drained from me by an undeserving dead end job at a supposedly supportive (and unfortunately unnamed but I would if I could) University, I felt like the pay was not enough for the pain. Unmotivated, unhappy, and on the verge of self harm, I had to make a choice. Keep the lights on and have nothing that I care about matter to me anymore, or reclaim my life, the singular one I’ve been given. So, on January 1st 2025, I decided I couldn’t go another year with this job weighing on me, so I resigned. It was a relief, but opened a whole new world of anxiety. I thought, “oh boy Marissa, you really did it this time”. I’m a proudly bold and casually chaotic creative, so big steps are no big deal to me. But in terms of life choices, I have taken convenient, logical, and more importantly, horizontal moves. Graduate high-school, go to college. Graduate college, establish a career. Establish a career, move to your desired city and start your life, build a family, blah blah blah. The conventional route is not designed for people like me, and I was tired of allowing it to box me in and trap me into perpetual practicality and blandness. But this? This was wild even for me. Yet, when I declared this move to my friends and loved ones, no one was surprised, and everyone rooted for me. At this point, the only thing left to do was to believe in myself.
Since I retired, life has NOT been a walk in the park. And I am absolutely still on an uphill battle to assert myself as an artist to the world, but mainly to myself. And despite the challenges, I am so proud of myself. I would take instability and freedom than to EVER trade my life in for a paycheck again. Everyday, it’s still a hustle, but I think that is a part of what makes me who I am. I never know what’s next, and no matter how hard I have to work, I still can finally breathe. Nothing can replace that peace.
I would tell anyone interested to make a plan first (unlike me haha) and go for it! Rely on your support system, and if you don’t have one, go out and build one (easier said than done I know, but I’m living proof). But most importantly, trust in yourself. There is nothing that can be wrong in art; it’s all about your perspective. If people can basically sneeze on a canvas and sell it for millions in some puffed up art auction house, then you will 100% get exactly what you need and deserve if you just follow where your creative heart leads you, even if it seems a little crazy and directionless at first. You will get there. And maybe that’s just a little advice for Future Marissa Makes as well!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Marissa Makes, Jack of all trades Artist and Creative, bringing life and art from unconventional items and methods. I paint, I sew, I’m a musician, a writer, art therapist, multimedia artist, face and body painter with skills in Special FX and Costume, and so much more. I’m also a businesswoman. I’m a logistical consultant for small businesses, I work to connect people with others in their field or related resources, I host events (like paint and sips with my father, Pop & Ris Paint ‘N’ Sips) and help others host events (like alt wellness events by my sister and wholistic wellness specialist ShizWaisted), and I work with community organizations and centers to bring art and wellness to our community and especially our youth. In short, once again, jack of all trades. There isn’t much that I don’t touch, and I am always learning more. My established skillset and aptitude for more is my pride and joy, and I know for a fact that there is no one like me. By the end of this year I plan on penetrating all parts of the art industry: having my art in many galleries (which is already being done), hosting more events, performing more of my music, launching my fashion line, releasing my writings, and so much more. Please find me on all socials, and visit my site. I’m always happy and open for questions and collaborations!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I feel like I can’t pick one, as it feels like my whole career thus far has been defined by pivoting. Geez, I’m in the midst of pivoting right now!
Let me speak on my music career. It began with me purchasing (overpaying actually) time to record my music, just for my music not be released to me. The next month, my first performance was then canceled without my knowledge. Then the next month, my next show fell through as well, and the month after, I got into a bad car accident, so my music goals had to be pushed back in lieu of healing. Every time I try to seek out this passion, it’s been something preventing that achievement. This time, I will make it happen for me, through full proof and reliable means. At first, I questioned it on an existential level: asking am I on the right track? Is this for me? Am I doing the wrong things? But I realized that all of the good I can bring through music is not just for me, and that it’s worth the fight. It’s worth me reclaiming and sharing with others. No matter how many times I need to pivot and look at different options, I can’t give up on my dreams and the things that resonate with my soul. Staying true to myself and seeking out forms of expression that make me feel so free and alive, that is what’s most important for me right now as I continue to define myself. If you want to keep up with that side of artistry, check out @itbjanis on instagram!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn humility. Being humble and being afraid to take up space as such a bold person that I am is not doing me any favors. I tell my consultative clients constantly, get out of your own way. Don’t starve the world because you didn’t want to take up space. But they have no idea that in those moments, I need to hear that just as much. For example, attending college BROKE my brain and the way I procedurally did and saw things (counterintuitive right?). Art is not meant to be in a neat little box of crudité meant for any and all pallets, pristine and prude. Forget art, people in general just don’t work that way. Give yourself space, let yourself breathe, generously provide yourself love, and get out of your gosh darn way! Take up space, exhale and relax in it. If you’re seeking out your passions, then you belong and you’re exactly where you need to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marissamakes.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: Marissa_.makes
- Facebook: Marissa McShepard (Marissa Makes is a page)
- Linkedin: Marissa McShepard
- Twitter: Marissa_makes
- Youtube: Marissamakess
- Other: Linktree https://linktr.ee/marissa_.makes?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=261716fe-7b2a-435c-96c2-0a610fc20ad8
Image Credits
Matty with the Cam took my photos! Find him on instagram with that nickname without any spaces