Marie McCarty’s work appears in Trauma and the Body, Issue 1
What brings you joy? It could be recent or something you’ve enjoyed for ages.
I have been an art educator for more than 20 years and one of my biggest joys is seeing my past students excel in their lives. I have seen several of my students, whom I worked hard to instill a love for art, carry that love into artistic endeavors of their own. Tattoo artists, art educators, full-time artists, youth art advocates, art therapist, and architects are just a few careers that I see my past art students flourishing in. It makes me proud.What art form would you like to try at least once?
I have always been fascinated with glass blowing. It was a course offered during my undergrad, but it was so popular, I was never able to get into it. Watching the artist as they move so quickly and balance the glass, fire, and their breath has always been something I wish I could try.When was the first time you thought of yourself as an artist?
I have been making art as long as I can remember, but honestly, I don't believe that I truly felt like I was truly an artist until I was in my late forties.What’s one way you process or manage painful emotions?
Painting. The body of work that I have created over the last six years has been my therapy to process the trauma endured as a late-stage melanoma patient.What’s a work of art that has influenced you greatly?
The painting "Intimacy/Autonomy" by Joan Semmel. This painting, painted from the female perspective changed the way I look at my own body. Semmel gave permission to the other female artist to explore their own point of view, to point the camera inward instead of relying on a male’s perspective. This became the way I began my exploration into my own trauma. In fact, one of my paintings, "the gap between" was inspired by Semmel's composition in the painting named above.What’s your favorite tool for making art?
I am a traditionalist painter, oil on canvas is my favorite tool to create. Now, if I really am honest, an angled brush is always my go-to tool when painting.If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
Well, as mentioned above, I am an art educator. I was drawn to being a teacher at a very young age. I still have the Dr. Suess book, where at age nine I wrote that I wanted to be an art teacher. I honestly believe it was my destiny to share my art knowledge with others.If you could instantly master any skill, what would you choose?
Acrylic paint. I practice with this medium all the time, but I just can not seem to become a master at it. It is an evolving love/hate relationship, landing mostly in the hate category.If your workspace could talk, what would it say about you?
I am too small. Earlier in the year, I had to move from my large art studio to allow one of my sons the space. Currently, my husband and I are sharing an office and studio space. It is tight quarters with very little room, therefore, I have adjusted the size and scale of the work I am creating. Bottom line, I am still creating.If you could chat with one artist, living or dead, who would you choose?
Frida Kahlo. Her exploration into self-portraits that investigated the trauma of her life are fascinating, and I would love to discuss her artistic processes.
Marie McCarty is an artist and art educator living in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Her work can be seen in an upcoming exhibit, "it's only skin cancer" at the Eric Fischl Gallery located at Phoenix College from November 2-25. Opening reception is November 2, 5:30-8. Visit mariedmacartyart.com or follow her on IG: mariedmccartyart.