We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful M’ria Swire. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with M’ria below.

M’ria , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have always created things since I was a Kid, I loved to paint on things and put things together with out of the box materials. When I was little I remember I painted on all the wooden furniture in my room, I was so proud. When I came home from school, They had been washed off the furniture, and shortly there after I was enrolled in a local studio. Since then life, as it does has taken me on a wacky upside down roller coaster. As a visual Artist, Art has always been the method by which I can most accurately and fully express myself. Sometimes words just don’t encapsulate what I feel or want to express. But color and texture completely get me.

Since that moment as a child, I have always sought out a creative path filled with Art through out my life. And while it may not lead down the most conventional of paths, it did and has brought fulfilment and meaning to existence. I have lived and actively participated in Creative communities throughout Florida, as well as tapped into Art Communities whenever I moved, specifically in Louisiana.

Settling back in Florida, I enrolled at USF and found a home in the Art Department. Since then, I have actively participated in the Tampa Art Scene, joining Fringe Creatives and becoming an Active Art Advocate from St Pete to Orlando.

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

M’ria Swire is a Visual Artist, working out of her home-based studio in Plant City, Florida. She graduated with a BFA from The University of South Florida in 2013. Having been a visual artist all her life, the birth of her two children questioned her identity, leaving her uncertain as to whether pursuing her calling was even fathomable. Realizing that she could not abandon her work, she has spent the last six years embracing, evolving and strengthening her work and practice, through new challenges and opportunities no matter how unconventional they may seem.

Primarily working in acrylic and raw pigment, her work has since leapt from canvas on to wood, skin, fiber and even large scale mural projects. Her work exemplifies heavy, saturated vibrant colors, layered with metallic, translucent and opaque detailing. Abstracted forms whose movements call the viewer to look further, experience more than just a mere glance. M’ria also enjoys experimenting with new mediums and techniques that change both the texture and application of pigment, often resulting in unexpected, yet highly desirable outcomes.

My Work synthesizes emotion, energy and movement through abstract visions of the female form. Encapsulating expression through abstract forms, mediums, color, and texture.

Movement plays a critical role within my work, harnessing physically visual elements, conjoining them to expose the visceral components of emotion, energy and existence.

Using this vehicle as a means by which to exasperate emotion in a very literal and felt reality.

Over the past year, I have been promoting and nurturing ART AFTER DARK, an art event, which originated at 81 Bay Brewing Company, now held at 7venth Sun Brewing Company in Tampa.
My goal, to bring artists together, without bias in an inviting and nurturing environment. So that the public can take a peek into the mind of the artist while enjoy themselves.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The birth of my kids, questioned my identity. Society told me that I no longer was allowed to be who I was, that I had to forfeit my identity to become a nurturer and provider. While I did change my habits and lifestyle to nurture and provide for them, I fought (mainly myself) to retain my identity, carrier and life. I knew I could not leave who I was and what I did in the past, it had to be part of my present and future self to retain some sort sanity.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing your work being appreciated by a stranger, and having that piece connect with them. Also as an Abstract painter, I love when other people tell me what they see in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://mriasmezzanine.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mriasmezzanine/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/M.riasMezzanine/
• Other: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2FMriasmezzanine&e=ATNnzhnQ2-UKOkYJllPnVV8XEaHRnwjvH8irsUg6UKWoaxHOGUjUgPxby8E59sOWQwv3PPpR0IQUtT8v1dPPn_YKMcC1GUu1&s=1