Meet Marjolyn Van Der Hart

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marjolyn Van Der Hart a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marjolyn , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose by following what consistently inspired and energized me—creativity, connection, and storytelling. I realized that the ability to tell visual stories inspires others to be more connected to their own life. Using imagery from the past as inspiration, it becomes a lens into the viewers present life, As a result, my work brings joy, reflection and inspiration to those who interact with my art.

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’m a visual artist whose work explores memory, identity, and the layers of personal and collective history—often through the lens of nostalgia and popular culture. I use collage, vintage imagery, paint, and mixed media to recontextualize familiar icons, especially postcards and travel ephemera, to tell stories about longing, transformation, and time.

What excites me most is the emotional connection viewers feel when they recognize something from their own lives reflected in the work—those quiet moments when memory and imagination meet. My process is deeply intuitive, and I often layer photographs, paint, and transfers to create a sense of depth, both visually and conceptually. The moment the visual memory creates a connection in the viewer, is the moment that the piece of art finds its value.

Right now, I’m focused on a new body of work that continues this exploration but brings in larger-scale prints and digital media to expand the conversation between analog memory and our digital lives. I’m also preparing for an upcoming residency and working toward a solo exhibition that will explore how we carry places with us—through memory, image, and artifact.

The core of my work is to bring a conscious reflection of how we are inspired by everyday materials and processes. Being self aware through art is the goal. That, and bringing a depth of joy and escape from the routine of life.

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?

The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been **curiosity**, **persistence**, and a deep **emotional intelligence**—especially the ability to translate feeling from memories into visual form.

1. **Curiosity** kept me exploring new materials, themes, and ways of thinking. It pushed me to ask deeper questions about memory, place, and identity. For those early in their journey: stay open. Let your questions lead you, not just your answers. Follow the work and where your artistic production takes you. Look closely at the motivations and how your potential collector responds to it.

2. **Persistence** helped me keep going through uncertainty, rejection, or creative blocks. Try to trust the process, show up consistently, and give yourself permission to evolve. Work on the work and keep producing despite those rejection. Show your art as much as possible to get feedback. Take risks and be inventive. If something does not work, try another way. Stay close to your artistic vision and explore how it can grow.

3. **Emotional intelligence** allowed me to connect with others through my work in a way that felt genuine and layered. For those developing their voice: pay attention to what moves you emotionally and think about how others perceive your art emotionally. Think universally- not personally. We are all the same- looking for love, time, connection, escape from monotony. Being empathetic allows you to understand how your work is relatable and impactful.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth this past year has been to break out of the monotony of production of art that is repetitive. I have been creating for 30 years and during this time I have developed a process for creating using different materials and ideas. However, as every creative person encounters there can be level of boredom.

The question becomes why? For the past year, I have pushed back at this and looked at how I can challenge the process and look deeper. Searching for the time and space to reflect deeper has been the goal.

This process has infused an excitement and reconnection to the source and purpose of my art.

Being more intentional has been transformative. With this energy, the art feels like it can expand and the depth of connection to the viewer can be more informed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marjolyn.com
• Instagram: @memoryartgirl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/memoryartgirl/
• Linkedin: Marjolyn mvanderhart

Image Credits

Marjolyn van der Hart