Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcella Verchio.
Marcella, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have created art since I was young and received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art, majoring in a digital art field. That degree originally brought me to the DC area for an internship at the Smithsonian in their exhibits department. I stayed after the internship and got a job working as a brand designer. While working, I sort of fell back into my personal art practice because of the amazing learning opportunities in the city. I picked up mediums I had never worked in during college, like screenprinting and oil painting. On my quest to try all of these new art mediums, I took a chance and applied to paint a mural. I got accepted and fell in love with the practice. That has led me to paint several other murals around the city. My screenprinting workshops evolved into screenprinted prints, shirts, and cards that I sell. My oil painting classes have turned into my own painting practice, and I exhibit and sell in galleries across DC. I’ve started doing workshops, teaching painting and screenprinting to share the joy of learning a new medium with others, as I had experienced it. Today, I’m continuing to follow my interests, as they always seem to open doors. I now have a mural, printmaking, and painting practice that is continuing to grow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although art and creating have always been my anchor, I have struggled through life figuring out exactly how to mix that with needing to make a living. I’ve gone down a few different paths with my art, working in different art-related fields. Before, I thought I needed to find just one art form that I was really good at, master it, and then do that one thing for the rest of my life. I now see a creative life as being very fluid and requiring embracing change. Basically, I had to get out of my own way. Since I have been truly tuning into my passions and giving myself space to explore, make mistakes, learn, and play, the path seems to unfold itself.
I also think creating was more difficult when I was making work alone and not really sharing my art or my ideas with others. Being part of the DC art community has helped me learn and has given me more opportunities. Even just talking to people about my hopes and dreams helps make them real. It’s amazing how many people want you to succeed and want to help! Because art is usually an independent activity, we artists sometimes get stuck in just the making part. The community is just as important and rewarding. You have to get out of the studio.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist with a mural, painting, and print practice. I see my art as a tool for self-discovery and hope that sharing it with others inspires them to live more authentically. My work typically includes motifs of flowers, distortion, women, and phrases. I’m inspired by philosophy and the complexities of being human. Most people know me for my large murals around DC and my flower and distortion style.
I’m most proud of creating art that feels like a representation of who I am. It’s been challenging for me to get comfortable being vulnerable enough to share my work, and I’m proud that I have stayed true to what I want to create versus what might be more expected or acceptable. I’m also very proud of my large-scale mural work that combines creating with hard, physical work (and heights!). My mural from DC Walls 2024 is a good example. The wall was around 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall, and I got on a ladder and just did it with no hesitation. Every day I had to figure out how I was going to put the vision in my head onto this giant wall under the heat of the sun — and I did it!
My motifs and style set me apart visually from other artists. My practice is also informed by my years working in corporate design. I think I’m able to bring a business-minded approach to my practice that really helps the way I work by incorporating my digital design and professional skills.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say consistency, and I see that in different ways.
I consistently have to make work because not all of it is sellable, and some work is a stepping stone to the good stuff that really clicks. You have to be constantly creating to really hone in on what’s working. Also, every time you create, you learn.
You consistently need to show up. Relationships don’t happen from meeting someone once.
People working with you love consistency. They like working with someone who does what they say and knows what to expect.
Lastly, I am consistent in taking care of myself. I truly believe you need to be in a safe, healthy environment to be creative. I have to take care of and feed my inner artist so she can come out to play!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marcellaverchio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcellamariev
- Other: https://substack.com/@marcellamariev
