Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Mari.
Sabrina, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Well for starters, my name is Sabrina Mari. I am a self-taught artist type based in Orange County. I enjoy dabbling in mixed media but I’ve got a sweet spot for watercolor and all things cute, colorful and creepy. I didn’t always know that I’d have a future in art. In fact, I’m a bit of a “late-bloomer” I must admit. I always considered myself a creative type that would probably pursue a career in psychology, play it safe, and live vicariously through my actively creative peers. Until one day, I was invited to do a local artist event in Santa Ana and had two weeks to learn to paint. So on a whim, I bought some Crayola watercolors, picked up a brush and before you know it I was doing art walks in downtown Santa Ana every month with a collective called Konsept. Practicing and learning and sharing all at the same time. Flash forward to four years later, and here I am. Fortunately, I was able to upgrade from my Crayola days but I make it a point to never forget where it all started.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I started painting by chance but I continued creating with the intent on exploring a fun, sustainable and healthy way to coexist with a chemically imbalanced brain, or what I endearingly call “my broken brain”. I use art as a tool to process, confront and express many emotions, particularly in the embodiment of cute, sexy, unapologetic, femme-fetale monsters. Sure, mental health awareness is picking up some momentum but the stigma still lingers when it comes to acknowledging and discussing the “uglier” “scummy” bits of it, so once I learned how to tap into my “scummy bits”, I started channeling them into something tangible. I started breathing life into my very own escapist fantasy, free of judgment, full of rainbows, sparkles, and gorey monster misfits. Somewhere someone like me could feel free and at peace even if it’s just a fantasy. Through these characters, I find a light in the dark, strength in vulnerability and beauty in the pain. It’s through art that I maintain my sense of balance on this planet. It allows me to speak and connect with others without using words and I think that’s one of the greatest gifts to come out of all of this so far to be honest.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think the introduction of social media really changed the game for so many of us. I personally only decided to give art a legitimate chance because of the opportunity and exposure a free internet granted to people in my communities. Otherwise, art is still just another luxury and even the concept of pursuing it as a career remains a privilege in itself. Consequently, with the rise of online censorship and not so awesome algorithms, that beacon of hope is beginning to lose its sparkle.
If it weren’t for the small businesses, art collectives and all the creatives I’ve met along the way, pooling their resources and consciously creating opportunities for people like me where none previously existed, I honestly don’t know how I would even attempt to navigate this pipe dream. With that said, if we actively invest in our communities we have the ability to manifest change and growth as a whole and I think art is just one aspect of all that.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I am currently selling prints, pins, and t-shirts at a shop in Los Angeles called New Profanity located at 7418 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046.
I also can be found vending at the Santa Ana Artwalk every first Saturday of the month.
Otherwise, feel free to swing by my Instagram @sabrynamari if you’d like to keep in touch!
Contact Info:
- Email: planetsmari@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sabrynamari
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
