Marci Erspamer
AQ is our series of hardcover catalogs celebrating extraordinary women artists. Available on Amazon. Visit the AQ Catalog Webpage to learn more.
AQ Volume IV Marci Erspamer is a painter living and working in Salt Lake City, Utah. Erspamer is self-taught but has a BS in psychology from the University of Utah. A visionary artist, Marci pushes the boundaries of painting techniques. Her paintings have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions at regional venues, and she has also participated in national shows. To Erspamer, the process of painting is a reminder of the unknown and the ability to move forward regardless. As an artist, Erspamer strives for beauty, clarity, and simplicity in life.
https://www.marcierspamer.com/
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
I came to art at a time in my life when I didn’t feel like I belonged. Luckily, I took a hand-building ceramic art class in High School and I felt at home for the first time in a long time. This led to a painting class, and the discovery of Impressionism and Vincent Van Gogh. Not only did I find his work intriguing, but I could also relate to his interest in people, nature, and the way he found solace in his work. I felt passionately about the work, and I also felt a strong connection to the artists who came before me. Up until that point, I felt confused about my life path, but I finally had some clarity and direction in my life. However, during college, I began to make unhealthy life choices, and I ended up in a really dark place. Fortunately, this “dark place” shed light onto what was important to me, and it was then that I realized I needed to dream big and create a life worth living! This marks the time in my life when I made the commitment to this life path as a creative.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
Over the last two years, I’ve been obsessed with painting a vase full of flowers. The initial interest was seeing other artists painting flowers and how beautifully they were done, and I wanted to put my spin on this traditional subject matter. I love the quote by Andre Gide that says, "Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again." The same goes for painting. You could say, again, again, and again. I enjoy painting the same subject repeatedly but making small adjustments and changes. I believe you learn from repetition, and it’s also a way to aim for perfection. Not that you ever get there. As for my nest paintings, during an artist residency that I attended, there was a courtyard where we would spend time eating and/or socializing. Within the courtyard, there was a tree and bird nest that caught my eye. I spent time thinking about how the nest was made, along with the purpose of a nest. I was deeply intrigued. Ever since, I’ve been painting nests, and over the years they have transformed. Recently, I’ve started adding paper and giving more detail to the inside of the nest. If you think about it, the nest is a beautiful and meaningful symbol of life. The nest is built one strand at a time, and it’s created with all kinds of debris and houses baby birds until they are ready to fly. Our lives, I think, are similarly formed; weaved together in order to support our day-to-day living. There is so much more I could say here. Yet, my work is more about the actual making part or process vs. the subject of the painting. Not that the subject matter isn’t important, because it is. But it’s not what drives me. As I work, I’m energized and challenged, immersed in the flow state or somewhere in between. I hesitate to use the word sacred, but it’s the only word that comes close to this harmonious experience. I’ve been making art for over twenty years, and this never changes.
What was the most challenging part of your path so far? How are you navigating this obstacle?
The most challenging part of my path so far has been learning about the business side of being a creative. In my mind, it was ideal to be able to paint full time, and so financial security was essential. Early on, I worked with an artist coach and talked with my artist friends for advice, and this helped a lot. However, the way in which artwork is seen and sold has changed with how technology has evolved. So, for me, this has been a huge learning curve, and my expectations and goals have changed along the way. I’ve seen many artists thrive in this market using social media to their benefit, and I applaud them for their ingenuity and success. Thankfully, I have learned from them and taken bits and pieces and applied these tactics to my own life. However, due to unforeseen health challenges and my natural inclination for introspection and seclusion, I’ve had to shift how I see myself in the world as a working artist and I’ve reprioritized my goals. At this point, I make the work and see it more as a practice, like meditation, and I don’t put financial pressure on myself anymore. Basically, I don’t equate financial success with artistic success. Instead, I see the work as more of an extension of myself, and I aim to enjoy it and learn from it.
What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?
Experimentation and exploration happen as a natural outgrowth of the work, but I don’t force it. As a matter of fact, for me, routine and ritual are highly prioritized. Early on, I decided to have a schedule and stick to it, and I quickly noticed the benefits. The thing that surprised me most was how this way of doing things seeped into all areas of my life. For instance, I experienced the progression of my art skills, an interesting body of work, career success, and personal feelings of peace and joy on the daily. Often when someone asks about my work and how I got to this point, I explain how having a disciplined lifestyle was key.
Do you have any start or stop rituals before creating?
I almost always work on one piece at a time. And when I’m painting and it’s getting time to end for the day, it’s hard to stop if I don’t like where the painting is going. But I wouldn’t necessarily call this ritualistic behavior. For me, routine, discipline, and consistency are important to my process, and one might call this ritualistic behavior.
What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?
What I’ve realized about my path so far is that it’s not my job to be on some kind of mission to change the world. However, I do hope my work inspires others positively and practically in their daily lives. For instance, my work, when viewed, might inspire one to consider a new perspective on a situation or to look more closely at the so-called mundane aspects of their life. To be honest, I’m not sure exactly the impact my work may have. However, I do know without color, beauty, and love, life is dull. Also, I’m a healthier person because I enjoy what I do. So, when I’m out in the world, the residue of my studio time doesn’t end at the door. I take “it” with me everywhere I go. And probably due to the countless hours of my art practice, I see life as a work of art and I’m part of that, inside the studio and out.
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
My all-time favorite quote is, “No mud, no lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh. In my opinion, the ability to transform my suffering into something beautiful is the ultimate goal
