Meet Marlina Vera | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marlina Vera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marlina, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and was exposed to art during my early years. I have always had a deep love for art and poetry ever since I was a child. I remember drawing and painting with color pencils and watercolors all the time, and memorizing poems as well. These were my favorite hobbies. One of my greatest childhood memories include visiting art fairs during the holidays with my family.

When I was about 9 years of age, I was chosen to represent my elementary school in an art contest. At the same time, I stared to write poetry.

Even though I did not win the art contest, this event marked the beginning of a dream to one day become a professional artist.

At the age of 16, I won an informal poetry contest at my high school. This ratified my passion for the arts and my dream grew stronger.

After studying Interior Design at Universidad Laica Vicente Rocafuerte for 2 years, I moved to New York City and took art and design classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology FIT.

Living and studying in such an incredible and eclectic city like New York was an invaluable experience for me. I was exposed to many different art styles during the 80’s and 90’s. It changed my perspective of art forever. It was there and then that I fell in love with the Cubism and Fauvism movement. I discovered and loved the freedom and the color palette that these styles offered. I immediately identified myself with both art movements. Since then, I stared incorporating these two styles in my creative process because I felt they captured my soul and gave free rein to my imagination.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My favorite art style is Cubism/Fauvism. However, I am not limited to these two styles, I also like to paint Abstract /Expressionism.

The use of bright and bold colors is a characteristic of my paintings, it is said that is my signature.

I love color. Color is love, life, joy and passion…when I look at a color, I can almost feel it and taste it. Color is everything in nature, color is the source of beauty.

Usually, I start painting intuitively, with just an idea or theme in my mind. I hardly do any sketches since I prefer to work spontaneously. During the process of creating my art, I allow myself to feel free and present at the same time, always enjoying that precise and almost magical moment when inspiration arrives.

I paint every day. Painting for me is like a necessity. It feeds and frees my spirit…it is part of me, it is my essence.

When I create art or write poetry, I find peace, joy, and happiness. These feelings are exactly what I want to manifest in my artwork. I aim to convey deep yet positive emotions through my creations.

I believe that a painting is a sentiment, the manifestation of a feeling expressed by brush strokes of different colors, lights and shades…..surrounded by the aroma of the oil, and surrendered to the power of creation.

For me, a piece of artwork is painted poetry. The forms and shapes in the painting are like the words of a poem, and its color palette, the rhythm in poetry.

I always say, ” I create art not for myself, but for those who, while observing my painting, connect to my soul”.

Many times, I have been told and I have also realized, after reviewing my past and present work, that I depict love in most of my paintings, like Mother’s love, the love of a couple, love for music, wine etc….

This is probably because, my sole purpose as an artist, is to transmit positive emotions through my artwork.

I firmly believe, that love is a powerful force…it moves the world and can conquer anything.
For me love is the most important thing in life.

Even though I was always creating art, it was not only until the birth of my second child that I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist.

It was not an easy decision to stop working at my regular job, but it was a decision mainly based on my strong desire of staying home and taking care of my new born. That was more important than anything else. I chose to stay home, be a full-time mom, and at the same time start my career as a professional artist.

Pursuing an art career definitely has its challenges. It requires commitment, passion, dedication and patience. For many years, I used to work long nights while taking care of my family. Now, I look back at all those years and thank God I chose this path. Rising my kids was very important to me and was my main priority. I have no regrets and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Now that my kids are grown up, I go to my studio/gallery every weekday and work regular hours. Weekends are for family and friends. I open my studio for visitors by appointment during the week and sometimes during the weekend.

To think that I started to pursue this dream over 23 years ago is incredible, and even though it has many challenges, I am very grateful for it. I have achieved more than I expected and my dream continues to grow.

I feel very proud and fortunate that my artwork has been selected to represent various venues. Some of my music related paintings have been chosen as the official image for Musical events like: Palm Beach Jazz Festival / 2003, Oregon Summer festivals / 2016 and 2017, and lately The Sembrich Opera Museum Summer Festival NY / 2022.

My artwork has also been included on a CD cover “Voyage”, a book cover “How People Change”, UCLA brochures, the cover for the French Art Magazine “Florilege”, and on a Wine label “La Vita” for the Bargetto Winery CA, among others.

I now have new plans and projects and I am very excited about what the future will bring.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love South Florida. I would definitely show my friend Miami and its beautiful areas. I would give them a tour of Boca Raton and visit Mizner Park and The Boca Raton Museum of Art. Eat in any of the great restaurants in the area, or just take my friend on the boat out in the intracoastal.

Some of my favorite food options in the area include Boca Skewers Mediterranean food and La Condesa Mexican Restaurant. I would also take my friend out for live music and drinks at the Biergarten in Boca Raton.

I would like to take my fried to see the sunrise at Red Reef Park beach and snorkel in the clear water while observing marvelous colorful fish by the reef close to the shore.

Also, I would take my friend to see the sunset by the everglades at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Park and enjoy the many nature trails in the area.

Finally, I would take them to the NASA Kennedy Space Center…it is a must see!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am forever tankful to my husband and two sons for their support. Especially, to my husband Manuel Salvatierra, who has always been there for me. He has undoubtedly believed in me more than myself, and has helped me to pursue my dream ever since we met. I could not have done it without his support.

Most importantly, I am thankful for God, who has blessed me and has always been in my life.

Website: www.marlinavera.com

Instagram: marlina_vera_art