Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Marrazzo.
Hi Chloe, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I realized my need to create – making art that brings happiness to others when I was very young. In kindergarten, my classmates were drawing castles during playtime and some kids were choosing other kids to draw for them. I wanted they were also electing who could draw the best castle so it could be colored by the other kid. I wanted so badly to be chosen and for the kids to let me draw the castle for them. But I wasn’t chosen, and looking back, I wasn’t a good fit anyway. However this wasn’t a bad thing, the rejection made me look over and study the other drawings and try to replicate them. This was the defining moment leading me to understand how much my art affects how I think and the way my life is affected. After this, I drew on everything all the time. My favorite day of the week was Wednesday because in school that was art class and my favorite lunch; turkey and gravy with rice. I lived for Wednesdays. When I was in college in spent time trying to keep up with the class while we learned adobe illustrator.
Everyone around me was making ice cream cones and I couldn’t figure out how to make a circle. I teared up and I wanted to quit but I wanted my career as an artist to take off. After two years, AI in Austin closed down and I was left with debt and no degree. Just working every day in a place that I knew wasn’t for me. I missed the projects and the classes and fell into a deep depression. I couldn’t keep creating with purpose and I was so financially broken I couldn’t do anything except keep working jobs that I didn’t see myself having a successful career. I lived alone in an apartment when I was 18 going through college and I really had no idea what I was doing. Instead of making friends or going out, I stayed home and made art, there was no reason, no thoughts, it is like meditation. It made the real world melt away. All of my problems and any unhappiness I harbored.
Today I still am working those same jobs in hospitality but the difference is now I’m taking a hold of my creative drive and making it into something. All my spare time is taken up by creative thoughts and actions. Organizing, painting, drawing, making jewelry with epoxy, gathering and pressing flowers for my art, and cooking. I am studying user experience design and trying to set up as a vendor for different events in order to sell my work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have struggled a lot with self-doubt and style, but now I have come to terms with my inconsistency in my work; I to change up my medium. I see discarded objects and I think: “what can I make with that?”. However, I still struggle with dozens of unfinished projects all around my apartment.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently work at commodore Perry estate, I work as a server specializing in hospitality while providing personalized service with each guest or member. Everyone knows me most for my flower collecting and a few of my close friends have purchased a few pieces from my botanical resin collection. At home in my studio apartment, I’m most proud of where I’m at today. Two years ago, I had a creative drive but I was without a path or a plan that could lead me to a booming artistic career.
I didn’t give up on my dreams and I believe all good things take time and hard work.
I am set apart from others because I want to help people with my art and make products that bring people together and give meaningful positive memories
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was shy and weird, and I was always the troublemaker. I was interested in everything as a kid and I had to choose eventually. I was in competitive figure skating, gymnastics, and dance for most of my child/early teenage years. But I have always been interested in nature, flowers, color, art, and animals.
I was in lots of activities as a kid, always busy. my friendships were more like situationships. Most would end when the activity ended or the zip code changed.
Contact Info:
- Website: artistichlo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chlojo.co/
