Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Marsh.
Hi Mary, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Being an artist was never a question for me, it was just a matter of which medium I would focus on. When I was around nine years old, I had begun winning multiple awards for my drawings and acrylic paintings; I quickly found was incredibly skilled in western naturalism and dedicated all of my after-school hours taking art classes & working on my natural talent.
Growing up with such a high interest in advanced-level art made it difficult for me to relate to kids my own age; I knew from a young age that I was different and because of this I struggled with friendships & my self-image.
After experiencing my first major depressive episode at 15, I found that I was heavily reliant on using a canvas to work through what I was feeling. At that point, creating became more than just an interest but rather a crucial point for my daily survival.
By the time I turned 19, I ended up working in the beauty industry to pay for my college textbooks. Somehow, I got hired to work at a high-end retail location & was over-the-moon excited. I always liked wearing makeup, and I figured it was close enough to painting that I could learn super quickly; I was wrong. Applying makeup to a stranger’s face in front of a team of talented coworkers was far more intimidating than I could have ever imagined. Not only was I trying to learn the backends to my first retail job, but I was attempting to manage a work/life balance and trying to figure out my personal identity, all whilst navigating my first year of college. I was completely overwhelmed & ready put in my two-week resignation when my best friend was waiting for me at the employee entrance of my job. Physically shaking me by the shoulders, he lectured me on how stupid it would be to give up on something I was excited about just because it was a rough start. Because of his encouragement, I stayed & ultimately put all of my energy into becoming known for my makeup artistry.
Fast forward to 2019, I had a degree in Fashion Studies from Montclair State University, gained enough public recognition and respect as a makeup artist to work for myself full time, & began formally treating my mental health.
Since working for myself full time, I’ve experimented in all forms of makeup but primarily found myself happiest working in fashion, editorials, & bridal. While I’m realistic about the daily obstacles that come with having a mental illness, I’ve found that knowing I have to be there for a bride’s big day or a scheduled brand shoot keeps my thoughts aligned. It’s not only a form of stress relief, but it makes me feel like I have a genuine purpose on this earth.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can’t say that things have been smooth for me in this career, but I also would not consider it as big of a struggle as I used to. I think for me personally, the hardest part of this industry has been learning to stay true to my soul’s purpose in it. I feel that nowadays, especially with social media, it’s incredibly easy to get wrapped into your own ego & fall into a loop of quick trends; while I do feel that its important to stay current with your artistry, I also feel that it’s important to remember the reason we all started in this industry. The reality is, makeup artistry is teachable to any person who will take the time to learn, but if the passion and genuine love for the art isn’t there, it will never last.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I consider myself an artist of many trades, but I specialize in makeup at the moment. My focus is on bridal & fashion and of course, editorials. I think my proudest moment so far has been seeing my name on the cover of a printed magazine & seeing my work on a billboard. I think what sets me apart is my genuine love for my work. Being able to create for a living is surreal to me – especially considering how rough of a start I had in this industry. My motto has always been “from overlooked to overbooked”, and it’s absolutely mind-boggling to say that I’ve attained that goal.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best advice I can give is to stay consistent. Self-employment as a creative is a scary jump, but it is absolutely worth it. If you truly believe in your skill, take it full force. Take every opportunity because you truly never know how many doors they will open for you. Personally, I recommend finding a photographer, model(s), designer, etc. & forming your own creative team. This not only multiplies your views on social media with the various accounts posting & tagging your work, but it will also allow you the space to create the content that you want more frequently.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Mary-Marsh.com
- Instagram: @thisismarymarsh
Image Credits
Brent Dwayne Allison Rockafellow Andre Orozcos
