Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriella Mammia.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve always been somewhat creatively inclined, so I’ve been making art in some way, shape, or form for about as long as I can remember. When I was in second grade I wrote a journal entry for school about how I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. That idea quickly faded as I developed the notion that “I could never do that.” Well, twelve years later and I proved myself wrong. In my adolescence, I’ve considered myself a writer, a singer, an actor, a musician, a poet, and a painter. And I’m still all these things, in one way or another. That’s largely thanks to the amazingly artistic people I was surrounded by as I grew up. My dad is a phenomenal woodworker in his free time, some of my dear friends are insanely gifted musicians and writers, and one of my mom’s friends that I’ve looked up to artistically is a fantastic watercolor painter. With their help, I’ve grown into the artist I am today, and I know I’ll keep growing. They won’t let me get stagnant.
Please tell us about your art.
That’s always a hard question for me to answer: “what do you paint?” I don’t know! I like to consider myself a mixed media artist at this point because I’m just playing. Rarely do I sit down to create a piece with a clear vision (or any vision) of how it’s going to end. Generally, though, I start with acrylic on canvas, but it hardly sticks to that anymore. I’ve used watercolors, paper, embroidery floss, wood, and nails to create my art, and I hope that list continues to grow. My end goal is to create something beautiful without being afraid of making something ugly. My art makes itself, as cliché as that sounds. It’s bigger than myself. I try to remember to always start my work with a prayer. I offer it up to God, as a prayer or a sacrifice, for His glory, or for someone that I know needs help or love. I believe that in itself is a beautiful thing, so if the end product doesn’t end up being so beautiful, that’s okay. I’m inspired by my Catholic faith, by nature, by the people I love, by artists and musicians I admire, by the emotions I’m feeling when I sit down to paint, so I hope people receive blessings when they see my art. I want people to receive the prayers, joy, peace, hope, light, and love that I put into what I do. I firmly believe that everyone deserves something beautiful, so that’s the main mission of my art: to share beauty with everyone I possibly can.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Art doesn’t have to be big and expensive. Doodling on a napkin and leaving it behind in a coffee shop to make somebody’s day is art. Even leave your Instagram username on it so you can continue to make their days in the future! I think that’s the wonderful thing about art. When it seeks to serve others, when it pursues beauty, when it is authentic and sincere, it always finds a way to come out.
Speaking from a very technical place, however, look into artist residencies! Those can be fantastic ways to make art without necessarily needing to own the materials and the space for the process. There are tons of programs and opportunities available to get your name out there while making new work, and many of these pay the artist as well!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I share and sell my work through my Instagram account: @cultivate.canvas ! On cultivate, people can see what I’m working on, what I’m selling, and contact me for custom commissions.
Contact Info:
- Email: gmammia@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cultivate.canvas
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Allison Zamora
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