We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marthe Aponte. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marthe below.
Marthe, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I think it found me. I wasn’t looking for a purpose, because the thought of having a single purpose felt too constricting, like my life was predetermined.
My journey is a zigzag. I wanted to be an Egyptologist for a long time, and my mother wanted me to be a pianist. I worked for about thirty years as a French teacher, and it was while I was a professor that I met people who saw the work I had been doing and called me an artist. I didn’t know I was an artist. Becoming one wasn’t a conscious choice, but when I considered the time I’ve spent with people from different walks of life, the various places I’ve lived, and all the experiences I’ve had, they crystallized over time and became something like a purpose: creating art.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a self-taught artist living at the edge of the Mojave Desert. I draw inspiration from my life in France, Venezuela, and California, influenced by African and Australian Aboriginal people’s artistic traditions, as well as flora and fauna. I have always connected ecology, and trees in particular, to childhood memories, storytelling, a sense of the sacred, and the female body. My work calls attention to the importance of our personal and physical interactions with the natural world.
My current practice focuses on “picoté”, a historical French art technique defined by delicate patterns and textures produced by piercing tiny holes in paper with a punching tool. I do not sketch or plan my work because I want to be surprised by what I make. I never know what is going to happen. The physical proximity of punching holes in paper and sewing sequins and beads for countless hours to make complex compositions raises awareness about the importance of the hand and the meaning of small gestures that could be considered insignificant but act as a reminder of our personal connection with time.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Critical thinking is crucial. You have to question the world around you and not take anything at face value or do things just because they are popular. What do words mean? What does it mean to have a purpose? Asking questions is how you connect with others and can start to make sense of the world.
Authenticity is key, but being true to one’s self is more than trying to define your identity. Have an ethical or moral code that guides you, but also accept change and growth as part of your development. It is a bit of a cliché to say, but it is true that we are not finished artworks but works in progress.
Empathy is also something I think is very valuable. Independence is a good thing, but that doesn’t mean isolating yourself or being disconnected from the world. Acknowledging emotions, feeling pain or happiness or sorrow—to care about something or someone means being compassionate and responding.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I meditate, try to focus on my breathing, and count my blessings.
I walk very fast, outside or in a natural environment where I can admire the sun and physically touch plant life. I also go to the florist and fill my house with beautiful flowers. When I touch petals, leaves, or the bark of a tree, they remind me of my connection with nature. This practice also reminds me of the time I spent with my grandfather, who knew the names of so many birds, mushrooms, and plants. He was wise, loved me unconditionally for who I am, and was the person who opened my eyes to the beauty and healing power of the natural world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://martheaponte.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martheaponteart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marthe.aponte
Image Credits
First two pieces (woman in forest, figure with turtle): Edwin Vasquez Last piece (lightbox, black background): Jason Jenn
