Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Pate.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I began making art in middle school, my teachers and professors had always shown interest in communicating the importance of a regular art practice while I always struggling to find a subject important enough to communicate. After studying all types of art from dance to printmaking to even microbiology, I graduated with my BFA from UT Austin. After graduation I started my own business, Maridad; where I began making affordable and accessible art available to the public. This was something I never thought was possible due to a degree that taught me the gallery was the only place for fine art, which felt too restricting and completely unavailable to me. I stumbled upon a series I created of “food people” which stemmed from societal pressures I was facing on what is good or bad and right or wrong types of foods to eat. I was also questioning the credibility of the source information I had believed up until now. Art has always been a type of therapy for me and this series was no exception. It has brought me so many new and interesting opportunities such as poster designs, zine collaborations, job prospects, commissions, restaurant collaborations and even agency work. It taught me the power of social media and how art can play a vital role in connecting to a wider audience. No matter where you live, you can connect with people all across the globe who want to support, now that is something that needs to be taught in college.
Please tell us about your art.
I touched a little bit on this in the last question, I create watercolor and ink illustrations combining various foods and drinks with anthropomorphic qualities by using human arms and legs. This helps connect emotions to food we regularly enjoy, from comedy to desire, from playing with your food to your food playing with itself. Food instills such a visceral memory in everyone’s life, it brings people together and becomes a conversation starter that can help build relationships. I hope that my art can provide people with a moment of happiness and cultivate an active imagination, for them to feel connected and relate to the images in a similar way as I do. The illustrations allow the viewer to become an active voyeur, to further objectify the way we choose what to eat, replacing the sense of taste with a visual appetite. I am constantly inspired by new relationships and cultures which provide me with a wider appreciation for food.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Conditions for artists are forever evolving and changing and so should the way in which we teach and promote art. With access to the internet and YouTube, self-taught artists are on the rise, but learning how to connect to businesses and buyers seems daunting and unobtainable. I believe we need more people talking and sharing the art which speaks to them. By creating more platforms in cities to connect artists with businesses in order to cultivate a society of forward-thinkers who support the diversity of art created within the city.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I sell my work through various outlets, including Facebook and Instagram that will connect you with my online store on my website (www.maridadfineart.com/shop/). I also sell through small galleries in the Austin area as well as an online shop called Witchsy (my seller name is Maridad Illustrations). If you would like to buy my art in person, I am a vendor at various craft markets in the Austin and Houston area which I promote on my Instagram (@maridad.studio). I provide discounts for multiple print purchases and seasonal prints in person at craft fairs to promote more traffic to these events.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.maridadfineart.com
- Phone: (512) 920-3237
- Email: jmpate@maridadfineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maridad.studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maridadfineart/
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/maridadfineart/
- Other: https://www.witchsy.com/maridad-illustrations/
Image Credit:
Taylor Strohmeyer, photo credit for the portrait image of me holding the camera. Dusana Risovic, photo credit for the fish-eye image of me at my booth with my art.
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston 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.
