This week’s artist spotlight, brought to you through a collaboration with the Concord Insider and the Concord Arts Market, focuses on Marie Gervacio, who lives in Concord.
Gervacio, known as the gutsy-artsy grandma, got gutsy with her art when she started selling her pieces to benefit humanitarian aid. Besides the craft fairs, where 100% of the proceeds from the sale of her art are donated to humanitarian assistance, she is also a resident artist at DIY Craft and Thrift and a faculty member at Kimball Jenkins. She loves all forms of art and various media, though she has recently created several watercolor portraits. Having little formal art education and being largely self-taught, she loves offering others the opportunity to follow a more creative path, so she provides this through the sponsorship of DIY Craft and Thrift drop-in art sessions, which are donation-based.
Although she had always known the saying from St. Francis of Assisi, “It is in giving that we receive,” she could never have imagined the profound effect it would have on her in creating and sharing joy and inspiration. She hopes to continue her mission of creating philanthropic art and inspiring others to bring joy into their lives as well.
Q: What does art mean to you? Art is so magical. When you take some common objects and transform them into something unique… wow! When I start with a blank piece of paper and add some lines, blobs, and color, then it looks like someone I know or someone who hoped I would capture their image, and they smile… wow! Art means sharing a bit of emotion through various media. I like to convey the feelings of joy, hope, and resilience.
Q: How did you first get into your craft? I come from an artsy-craftsy family. My mother and aunts would get together for paint nights. We made everything at home, from our clothes to homemade cards.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration? My family, people, flowers, animals, nature.
Q: What does your creative process look like? I try to at least sketch something daily. I have a number of pieces of art that I work on. I love challenges with or without prompts. Sometimes a quote.will be the beginning of something nice.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring artists? Don’t let anyone steal your dream, including your own inner critic. Keep creating!
For more information, check out https://mariegervacio.com.