Meet Marie Mccarty

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marie Mccarty. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marie , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I have always dabbled in art. I started when I was young with the encouragement of my parents. My Dad was a creative and inventive soul, we often drew together and I would watch him paint. When I was in my later years of elementary school my art teacher approached me about painting the art room windows. The idea of painting these large street facing windows exited me more than I can explain. With my Mom’s permission I was allowed to stay after school and paint. It took close to two week to complete the large image of shapes and swirls. The bright colors and shapes glowed in the sun like stained glass filling the art room with colors. The students of the school loved it, as did the staff. Others driving by or entering the building would also see my painting. Would they like it? What affect would it have on them? These questions swirled in my adolescent mind and it was then that I realized the impact that art can have. More importantly it was in these moments that I also became keenly aware of the impact that a teacher could have on one’s life. I knew then that I wanted to be an art teacher, I wrote it in a book, at age nine, it was my purpose.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a full time Art Educator in Scottsdale, Arizona but I am also an artist. I am currently attending Savannah College of Art and Design in pursuit of an MFA in painting. In 2018 I was diagnosed with melanoma. The diagnosis hit hard and I was quickly slated for surgery. Shortly after the initial surgery more cancer was found and my staging was increased. It was a difficult time, increased immunotherapy causing me great physical illness as I continued to teach full time. Things spiraled as I was hurled into my new reality of being a cancer patient. I became overwhelmed and depressed, sucked in by the loss of myself and my health. In 2020 as the pandemic began to close in on our nation I was completing physical therapy following my second surgery where half of my left calf had been removed due to the aggressiveness of melanoma. I was trapped, like all of us, but moreover I was trapped in the darkness of the life I was living to stay alive. It was in those moments that I decided to do something to cope with my anger and sadness, I began to paint.

The body of paintings I create are about my own personal experiences with melanoma. Most are self-portraits and they explore past decisions made at a younger time when I worshipped the sun and the consequences that I face today due to my ignorance. The uneducated circumstance of my youth and the reckless choices have recently helped me to examine the effects my melanoma diagnosis has had on my personal relationships. Creating this body of self-portraits has opened a dialogue inviting the viewer to better understand the impact that the sun can have on unprotected skin. This gained perspective by the viewers of my artwork is an unplanned circumstance of my chosen imagery but has become a welcomed discussion.

As I reach the end of my MFA at SCAD I have begun to apply to art contests worldwide, I have created and launched a website and am currently seeking gallery representation. I also continue to share my paintings through social media platforms to continue to spread the word of the dangers of the sun.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I am an outgoing person, I don’t usually meet many strangers, my willingness to speak with anyone has opened many doors in my life. Don’t be afraid to speak to someone you don’t know, but when you do, make sue that you take time to listen to what they have to say. So often another person just wants to be heard. Be that for someone else.

I also try to have an open mind and embrace others for what they have to offer. Understanding that everyone is different and comes to this moment in time with different life experiences that have formed them. Know this, accept this and you will get along with others so much more easily.

Lastly, being flexible has always helped me to be more at ease as a person, sometimes you have to sway a bit to keep with the flow of the world around you. Things are always changing and being too rigid in your ways can leave you standing alone as the world moves on.

When I was a younger woman my grandmother told me “Let go and let God”. The simplicity of those words has carried me through many dark and difficult times. Know that you are not alone in this journey we call life.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

In the last year I have really been growing as an artist. My painting skill has greatly improved as I have gained knowledge and ability. I also created a website and have worked hard to get past my fears of sharing my artwork with others. Although I am proud of my paintings they are personal and often it is difficult to put those painful images out for others to judge. I have worked hard to improve in this area and have let go of those fears to accept that maybe my works may help others. Ultimately that is the goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mariedmccartyart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariedmccartyart/
• Facebook: Marie D. McCarty Art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariedmccarty

Image Credits

Marie McCarty