We recently had the chance to connect with Tonya Merta and have shared our conversation below.
Tonya, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
The first thing I do everyday is take my dog Leo outside. In the backyard we have a small vegetable and herb garden, as well as many other plants all in their own pots. Taking care of my plants each morning is a very grounding ritual for me. Time in nature is the best gift I can give myself everyday. After eating, I get into something creative—whether thats painting, sewing, or whatever catches my attention. In the evenings I clock in as a painting instructor, other times as an art tutor. Mixed throughout each day is lots of time with my love, friends, family, and of course Leo. At this point in my life, art is a center focus. I am so grateful to spend so much time creating.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
MTCM Art is representative of myself, Mary Tonya Caroline Merta, and the purpose of my life—Made To Create More. I am a Czech multidisciplinary artist, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I am an entirely self-taught artist and focus on the metaphysical. Specializing in acrylic painting and textured art, my work often includes heavy symbolism, sacred geometry, and psychedelic themes. Many of the spiritual undertones in my art are inherited from my Gypsy ancestors. I hope to inspire more self awareness, self love, and a hunger to create in each viewer. By starting with self, we can better understand others, getting us closer to true union and peace.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I would like to think that the person I am now is very close to my original, fully authentic self. But, the process of returning to that self has not been easy. As a kid I loved all the things I do still: art, nature, music, fashion, magic, smiling. I had to unlearn a lot of things that the world taught me in order to feel free and fully be myself. And thats an ongoing process.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her that she’s doing a really, really good job. I have always struggled with being a little too hard on myself at times, and it was a lot worse when I was younger. I think this it is a very common thing, but life is hard enough. We don’t need to make it harder for ourselves.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
A core belief of mine is that following our greatest passion, the thing that lights us up most, is all we really need to do. That the rest will come naturally. Of course this passion needs to come from the right place, and ultimately be positive for ourselves and society too. It is a specific and entirely different thing for each of us, but if you can find what lights up your soul, I promise pursuing that will lead to everything else.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I talk a lot about finding what you love and following that. Sometimes I’ve heard that it’s easy for me to say that. I love art so loudly, I don’t think anyone is surprised about it. But, trust that it’s always a challenge to find and follow our passion. To do so you have to get quiet, listen to yourself, trust yourself over others, and ignore a lot of discouragement. It takes time and lots of effort. I put that effort in before, and I do so everyday.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mtcm.art
- Other: @tonyamerta on TikTok
[email protected] for inquiries
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