Today we’d like to introduce you to Marriya Mobley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hello my name is Marriya Mobley. People call me Mars. When I was younger I experienced high amounts of trauma. I had my parents pass away when I was two, due to contracting HIV/Aides from not living in their truth. I also experienced physical , emotional, and verbal abuse from my aunt that raised me when I was little. As I got older, certain indiscrepencies, and traumas continued. I experienced severe bullying, anxiety attacks, seasonal depression, and a rape when I was 18, and was actually waiting for marriage to have sex.
Schools didn’t know, my parents weren’t aware and all the amount of therapy did not work for years. In my adult years I experienced severe anxiety and had no idea, whether these were anxiety attacks, my heart racing, fear of social interactions and more. I want to focus on a unique story I experienced in college that led me to my first time noticing how much expression saved my life. It was finals and I had experienced racism for the first time from one instructor and people in the town, colorism amongst a black professor that was treating me unfairly, and felt a little unsupported by my uncle who I see as a father to me. I was also suspended from my job because a misunderstanding happened that I was blamed for. Feeling all the pressure, falling into a deep depression I started to not know what to do. I was working on a 14 page paper and the power shut down. It got deleted. I called my dad asking for advice. His statement” what am I supposed to do Im not there” it felt agrestious insensitive like I was at wits end. I got off the phone and had a full blown anxiety attacck. I cried.screamed, fell to my knees. I went back into the library and write a poem to put my feelings on paper. I felt so much better, and was able to make a plan. THe next day I did the paper asked for extra time and ended up actually getting an A.
Later on in life. I went through a period of depression again. I then thought with nothing to do in those times of sadness at home. LEt me try to paint what Im feeling? I painted my first paiting that was a women with all shades, hoping the world would see were are all the same in a lot of watts. Unification and collaboration is the answer to alot of pain and hurt in society. Also she was naked so that spoke to whow I feel vulnerbility and walking in your truth could really change the narrative to how we interact with teacher. My friends came and saw my painting and said they loved it. I laughed like I cant paint. They said you can this is good. I remembered I took art classes in highschoool and did win a contest once. But what really stuck out to me was I was able to communicate, release, educate, and inspire through this painting. I from that moment on had a different depic tion of what art could do for me.
The non-profit however was my call to action to make the world a better place. I always was passionate about creating safe spaces, bringing people together, trying to help others,and my main profession was a preschool teacher for special needs and behavior challenged kids. After that first painting I started painting and becoming an artist on the side. I would sell my paintings, live paint place, and do paint parties.
At one point I joined Philly Art Collective. I remember feeling so nervous all these artist had been painting for years who can I compare. However , when I went into the shows I made sure to be myself, and just tell my story through each paitingin or have reflective conversations through what they consumers saw. Felt. related to from evoking from looking at my paintings. Every art show I walked into I ended up always selling at least one. After one year I asked the head of Philly Art Collective Martile Oliver can I do an Art Show? He said yes. I was excited at this point, I and been writing poetry ,started an Expressive clothing line with my paintings on clothes, done photo shoots, started getting into dancing again like when I was little, to express myself. I would tell people my ideas about what I envisioned for the Art Show. The story of injustices, unfairness, and struggles the uplifting messages I wanted to portray through my art. How I wanted to have high vibration performers, recite my poetry on the power of kindness and have a slideshow with music showing my clothing. Also have dancers perform to a gospel song and to an african song to tell the story to black power and show the whole power of art and expression. Unfortunately I had people tear me down, say why would it not just be about the art? You shouldn’t do that’s to much. I began to feel discouraged people weren’t coming, or inviting or supporting my first show and hating on me. But to me it hurt and made me feel confused on whether I should. None the less I did the show with everything involved. The turn out was amazing coworkers family, friends almost sold out of all my art, and people couldn’t stop raving about how uplifted and how much was amazing it was. All the things they received some saying it was the best show theyv’e been in years. I knew then this was my calling. But this was just the beginning.
After this it catapulted me to do more, do talk show , create events to bring others together and show the the importance of expressing, and healing. I did this for years from 2015. In 2020 quarantine happen due to Covid. I was at my job and they said we would be without pay, and the city was locked down. At this time I was a head start teacher, part time artist, and had a boyfriend. I came home and thought was “what if the world is ending” I started crying because I noticed all I was doing was working I didn’t really have fun in a long time. I thought that was the last time I had fun “ and had to think back to childhood.” The adult responsibilities and survival mode had really taken a toll on me. To others I seemed fulfilled and fine but to me I was empty and not truly happy.
During quarantine I started to see how my anxiety was very prevalent. My job told me I and to go in anxiety attacks would come. My mind would race to the worst case scenerio. One day I sat on my couch listening to a song on instagram Billie Ellish the lyrics what if the world saw you like I saw you. I thought what if God was saying this. I then felt called to write down all my traumas and was forced to see what i learned from it. How God brought me through. That was the same night I noticed how much art when I was little and didn’t care about things just was free was when I was the happiest.I also started my first transmuting affirmations by writing the trauma and turning it into what i learned. I use my voice at all times because when I was abused I was silenced. It was the moment I noticed how it all has to do with your mindset. My first phrase I put on everything was you change your mind you change the world/ The power of the mind is the answer to so much in order to produces success inwardly and outwardly and truly elevate.
I went to an art show and they had therapist that felt you take a test to see if you had any mental health diagnoses and there t was when I found out I could have severe anxiety disorders. I came back home and started researching triggers and remedies. That’s when I was led to meditaton, breathwork, and noticed a big one to help is expression.
At this time the black lives matters movement was happening. People where protesting, actvism. Combatting police brutality. I was deeply affected but I thought what if the answer is for people to have a safe place to learn how to combat the discrimination and mistreatment. I should create an experience where people can be their authentic selves and learn new techniques to improve their mental health and deal with all the stress. This call to action is changing the narrative of perspective and finding a can do solution to change are people internally so we do not have to be so hurt by the system. Broaden others conscuiosness and show hands on tolls and strategies to help people self heal.I remember my boyfriend at the time , didn’t understand why I wasn’t protesting and focused on creating an event and a business plan. I told him this is how I am changing the problems I feel this would best. I was just venting my to my cousin Cory after and he said you ever think about doing Art Therapy. I then reflected I love creating, I’m a great teachers, and I’ve been healing all my childhood and adult truama though the method of expression , and an excellent teachers that’s perfect I feel God wants this for me.
I created Colors of Therapy. An innovative interactive Art Show. Colors of Therapy had workshops where community artist of all meduims came in and sold theiir products and also had free mini workshops to teach people how to heal through art. IT had vegan food because what you eat isimportant I brought speakers like SHani Dionna the person art show I went to that help me diagnosed to share her try about the importance of art and relation to mental health. Other psychologist and speaker. I had uplifting performer like Seriah Nicole who actually had said yes that morning because another performer backed out the night before. I had a lot of things go wrong behind the scenes a band come I didn’t know was coming and barely had space for, people dropping out. I had crafty arrow love sketching. Interactive connection activities to reduce social anxiety. A massage therapist. Mariah Lopez a string arts. Crown jewels Sean who taught people to make jewerly. Fire spinners to enacts a no fear mindset. Collective dance to show the importance of movement with wholesome and expressive illustrations ribbons to bring out the inner child’s in us all. Also some inner child whole group activities to express the importance of inner child healing. At the end people were raving the owner of the Space said it was the best event and so diverse Open Space was the venue. That led into a long term relationship where I did a lot there for years. At the end of the night the massage therapist told me this is your calling. I was stressed it was alot but nobody knew it went by without a touch. It flowed so well. Everyone some people even cried on the impact. Colors of Therapy went on for years eachon e featuring new creators,and attractions all to decrease depressiona dn stress.
Expressive Illustrations mission is to improve everyones mental health through all forms expression . But it is so much deeper than that. What if we lived in a world where people understand the power of emotional intelligence, or how to cope with grief and hardship, freely expressed who we are and lived fully in our truth without any fear of the unknown or anxiety holding us back. It is the answer to generational curses, family, trauma, ending depression, uplifting and inspiring all wellness elevation. The mission grew. Leading to wellness work shops. Expressive Art Therapy session. wellness pop up tables, team building seminars, school wide emotional intellegence workshops, crowd connection engagers. Craft pop ups, Expressive open mics, Expressive talent shows ,affirmational hosting, healing ceremonies ( full moon, divine femnine), and more. Sound Healing is a big ways to increase people mental health one of our most booked services.
Anything to educate others on how to heal through expression. I now host others , collaborate on experiences, and find unique ways to bring in these modalities. We need to work together, celebrate our wins more, and see the power inc connection and community.
Overall Expressive Illustrations uses the art of expression to help people to dive introspectively to find a higher consciousness, healing modalities, and get over any trials and tribulations thrown at them. Using self healing techniques, mindfullness and art psychology. TOgether we can change nations and vibrations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all this road was filled with a lot of complications, difficulties,and unexpected outcomes. I actually had to take a long break because I noticed I was giving to other but nnot fully myself. I ended up having to move to Kensignton and noticed I really need to put my self first. I had expectations thinking people would easily come out. But due to the taboo of therapy and wellness at the time and not putting yourself first it would be a struggle to get people out and try something new. I embraced the 10-20 people turn out and noticed this intimacy was an advantage. People would feel more comrofotsble, special and we can really hear one an another.
Often times as a curator crazyrtth ing would happen before an experience. My ccar getting towed, people canceling last minute. The venue not be transparent. Flat tire or anything to say you shouldnt got through with this. One time a painting got sent off to uber without me and I was already late THat turned out to be one of the best experiences A Bridge between Art and you Art show, improv skits Kuan young and Ayianna Vianna collanboartation with the Garden Godfather. But I learned when you are doing things for the right reason sometimes its more challenges. It always came out helping , elevating, inspiring and transforming peoples mindsets, and life. Some artists even creating their own or individuals leading and living a life filled with true authentic joy!
One of the biggest thing I noticed from Colors of Therapy is the power of community how if we work together things can be done. I did have one artist complain that she didnt want to share her technique because she worked years on finding it. Also another not to fond of the community aspect. However I did listen I felt like the art community was starved, to individualized, and to mean honestly. So a big shift with Expressive Illustrations was bringing aligned people and odfferent connections together. Helping us relate in an expressive commmunicativw way.
More struggles included, money and having to improvise and elean on kind people, timing restraints, or finding enough people to help keep it afloat. There was alot but Expressive Illustrations is still thriving and changing the world one class, workshop, experience at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a special needs instructors, abstract artist, affirmational host, spoken word freestyler/poet, Expressive dancer, emotional support instructor, Expressive art instructor, and all around expressive being.
I have a blended family two borhter sand stepmom and dad.
My abstract art depscits joy, higher consciousness and love. FOcusing on the inner child, black empowerment, and the subconscious mind. Often reflecting the different idealogies and quotes and depiction of how I feel we should embrace the world. Open our minds and our hearts.
Expressive Illustrations is our call to action to heal people through expression. It bleans cultural practices, art psychology, the art of connection, mindfulness practices, and more to enhance peoples mental health.
I specialize in behavior managments, and am known for my big heart, happy personality and as my friends say the resilience queen. I’ve over came and been through so much but you would never know because all the techniaques and practices I teach have worked for me and I beilieve in and see them do magic.
I am known as a visionary, rebel, and very empathetic person whose heart comes first, and is very solution oriented to change the perspective and actions of those who feel like or have given up on themselves, the world, or their mindset. My greatest gift is reading peoples energies and instantly knowing how to help they become a better version of themselves or help them to feel safe enough to just exist. I love to live and believe anything is possible. Anything expressive I love to do and wants to continue to let others explore this magic!
I am most proud of the power of purpose I often want to give up or stop but purpose and God remind me how this fight is bigger than me. We have to work together to make this world better our people happier. Joy and rest is the biggest repripocity.
How do you think about luck?
I feel like luck is a real thing but the luck part was mixed with faith, mindset shifts, and purpose. I was on a path to change the world, but it only worked because, I feel I was aligned to God’s highest path for my purpose in my life. I experienced crazy stuff all the time, car stolen, moving to zombie land, disappoints, setbacks one time my cared got towed on a show day and I only had $200 to my name( I still did the show irt was one the best). In Kensington, having a gun in my face but wheat got me through was Gods favor ( luck) and my mindset. How can i be resilient. Remember dont take things personal, what has God still prodivided the power of gratitude, or look at what I can learn front this, Im here to help someone else not have to experience what I went through. Perspective is key. I beleive there no such things of consicendences God sends signs in all ways. With the right intention, belleif and hard work, things will always work out for the best. Lucky me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.expressiveillustrations.org
- Instagram: expressiveillustrations
