Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercedez Singleton.
Hi Mercedez, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have a degree in photography but the thing I loved most about the medium was being in the darkroom, which has all but become extinct. For many years I felt devoid of a creative outlet until I casually began experimenting with surface design in textiles via natural and synthetic dyes. My experiments evolved into a small line of hand-dyed accessories and home goods. In 2018 I tried my hand at marbling and immediately fell in love with the process. It quickly became my main focus and remains my passion today.
One thing I love about marbling is how user-friendly it is. I realized that marbling could be a vehicle to help others reconnect with their inherent creativity which felt important to me as someone who was lost from a creative practice for a time. I quickly began teaching classes. Sharing this art with others to re-ignite their creative spark has become the cornerstone of my business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
COVID- I was only one year into full-time self-employment when the pandemic hit. At that point, my income was mainly coming from doing markets, teaching workshops and doing events, all of which came to a screeching halt. Like many people, I was trying to figure out the best way to “pivot” my business but was struggling to make ends meet. A former workshop student had urged me to make a marbling kit with all my favorite supplies and I decided I’d give it a try to see if there was a market for that sort of thing. I started by listing just ten kits and they sold out in 30 mins! Turned out people were really hungry for things to do while isolating in their homes. It’s now my best-selling product.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in water marbling- an ancient mono-printing process that involves floating pigment on the surface of thickened water and using various tools to manipulate the paint into patterns which can then be transferred onto paper, fabric or leather.
I believe that everyone is creative and that cultivating a creative practice is worthy pursuit that leads to emotional resilience and a greater sense of meaning in one’s life. I hope I’m known for inspiring others to follow their curiosity to discover their creative impulse- we all have one!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Be open to trying new things. I am grateful for the pandemic because it forced me to figure out a new way to engage with my audience. I sometimes wonder how long it would have taken me to try out making a kit if I hadn’t been forced to get creative with my business…
Pricing:
- Marbling Kit from $125
- Private Art Parties from $500
Contact Info:
- Email: info@mercedezrex.com
- Website: mercedezrex.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercedezrexdesigns/?hl=en ( @mercedezrexdesigns )
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedezrex
Image Credits
Mercedez Rex Bio Pic by Christina Fischer, all other images shot by Mercedez Rex
