We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Marzella recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The biggest risk I’ve taken in my life is chosing to make a living as a fine artist. I credit my mother for supporting this endeavor and financing a majority of my education at The Cleveland Institute of Art. I majored in textile design and worked in the field for several years. Eventually I transitioned into doing my own artwork. I was able to do this because my husband had a job as a toy designer. The DEFINING risk I took, was when my marraige ended. I chose to continue my career as a landscape painter. I lived very frugally and worked very hard. I made a calculated decision to move to Charleston, SC because the art scene thrives here and costs were lower than Rhode Island where I lived for thirty years. All in all I’ve taken quite a few risks in order to live this life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My mother was multi talented within the arts. She was a singer, piano player and performed in the theater. She exposed me to the arts from a young age. I began to take the visual arts very seriously starting in ninth grade. Luckily my high school had an amazing arts program. My instructors encouraged me to go to art school. The Cleveland Institute of Art at the time was a five year BFA program. I started my career as a fabric designer. It was a great dicipline for learning about color and design. I started out as a colorist before moving up to designer. That color training was instrumental for the paintings I am creating today. I create oil landscape paintings ranging in size from 4″ x 4″ to 60”x 72″. Nature has always been key in my life. I hike, kayak, paddleboard and scuba dive. Nature is very spiritual for me.Through my work I am expressing my emotional response to nature’s mystery and her constant transitions. I try my best to capture those moments when you stand in awe of the natural wonder that surrounds us on a daily basis.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is connecting with the viewer. I never consider a painting finished until it meets its’ collector. I’m trying to move people emotionally with my work.
Occasionally my gallery will tell me someone was crying while looking at my paintings. That’s what I’m after.
Thats how nature moves me. When someone is enthralled by a painting so much that they chose to collect it, that is my greatest reward.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think non creatives may wonder why we are willing to struggle financially to be artists. I also think a steady stream of income and a fat 401K is pretty alluring. It’s just a personal choice of what is most important to the individual. I am willing to risk those insecurities to live as an artist. Artists have the courage to fly without a net. The biggest misconception non creatives may have about artists, is that we are having a great time everyday. Let there be no mistake, just because we enjoy what we do doesnt mean it isn’t very hard work. We are not just creating. We are running a business day in and day out. In order to be a successful creative you need drive and discipline.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephaniemarzella.com/
- Instagram: @stephaniemarzella
- Facebook: Stephanie Marzella