Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Parmer
Hi Marie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, I worked for 30-plus years in a graphic design and marketing career. It was quite honestly a very satisfying and creative role: I really loved figuring out the best way to visually communicate information.
Several years ago, my corporate role ended quite suddenly. (The victim of corporate restructuring!) I was blindsided at first, then felt an unexpected, irresistible urge to paint – something I’d taken up recently after years of not touching a paintbrush. So, we carved out a space in our basement and created a painting studio there. I dove in with full force and have been painting ever since.
My husband built a Free Little Art Gallery in our front yard (like a Free Library, but for artwork), and through it I made some of my first connections to people in the local arts community, including at a local gallery. Almost immediately, the gallery invited me to jury an exhibition, and the following year, I had a piece accepted into one of their exhibitions.
I built a website, started exhibiting at local art fairs, and started to have successes. Over the last several years I’ve exhibited in many shows, had my work accepted in several exhibitions, and celebrated other wins along the way. Meanwhile, I have worked on building up a community of local artists, creating a social media presence and an email newsletter, and I continue to learn new things. Sometimes it seems like things move very, very slowly. But I really love running my own business, and I’m determined to keep improving my work!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always new things to learn: New tech. Social media platforms and strategies. Patience. Self-confidence. A willingness to fail. And of course, mastering the craft itself – including how and how not to use certain materials!
A creative life can be a challenging one. As a solo entrepreneur, you must do your own self-promotion, which can be very intimidating. You create your own schedule, which is a great luxury – but requires discipline. There are disappointing days in the studio when nothing feels like it’s working. It’s incredible to be able to make all the decisions, but that can also be daunting. And, of course, you’re on the hook for all your expenses.
As an exhibitor in shows, the outlay for a booth and all the related costs can be like a roll of the dice. There have been times I didn’t even make enough at a show to cover my fees. This can be incredibly disheartening! Setbacks like that make you question whether you’re good enough, if your work is good enough, if your prices are too high or too low… that’s when things get really challenging.
My experience has been one of many ups and downs, but I just try to overcome the self-doubt and stick to it. Remind myself that I’m in this for the long haul. More times than I can remember, I’ve had a win right on the heels of a disappointment. A sale, a commission, an acceptance to a show… boom. I do my best to be patient (which isn’t always easy!). I have to remind myself that showing up to events, meeting new people, and posting about my work can have an impact that might not be felt for weeks, months, or years… but it does have an impact. It matters, and it adds up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create abstract paintings using mostly acrylic paint. I also use house paint, collage papers, charcoal pencils, graphite, oil pastels – you name it! – so, they’re technically known as “mixed media” pieces. I paint on cradled wooden panels, which is really fun because they can take a lot of paint, and I often use an electric orbital sander to create cool effects or take away bits I don’t like.
My paintings tend to be very layered and textural, and I try to create interesting marks that can be seen up close, apart from what can be seen from far away. They often take on the feeling of a landscape – usually an abstraction of a place I love, which often involves water. A lot of my work has a calming effect on people.
I love to work big: like six feet wide by three feet, and I like to work on square panels that can be turned around while I work on them. Painting big means getting physically involved in the work, and I enjoy flinging my arms around, “dancing” in the studio (if you saw me dance you’d understand the air quotes), and getting lost in the work.
I also do work on commission, which my clients really appreciate. People love to have a piece created just for them, and it’s an amazing feeling to see how happy the work makes them. I never get over the thrill of impacting someone’s home with my paintings! That is probably what I love the most.
I think what I’m most proud of, though, is doing it. Starting this business. Taking on the challenges. Doing the things. I’ve created this new career almost entirely on my own. A younger version of me could probably never have imagined that. But now here I am, living this amazing, creative life. And I made that happen.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Stubborn optimism?
I love this quote from Henry Ford, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” I keep telling myself I can do things, and I can!
I’m constantly pushing to make better work, to improve my processes, my website, my everything. I am driven to create a life I love. So I keep at it. And I feel very lucky to do what I love to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marieparmer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marie_parmer_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marie.m.parmer
Image Credits
Claire Daniels
