Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Maret.
Hi Jessica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
My mom has said that I have been captivated by creating art since I could pick up a pencil, and it’s that drive and need to create that has always led my way. I loved entering coloring contests when I was young and remember all my art classes being my favorite time in school. I was lucky that my parents, grandparents, and art teachers were very kind in encouraging my commitment to learning and improving. I studied Advertising in college with a minor in studio art. That’s where I had to decide my future and how art would be involved. I had some fantastic art professors who taught me so much about making a career in the arts, and some made the very kind gesture of taking me aside and telling me I had something special that could make an impact in the art world. Well, I was highly flattered but too practical, so I got a corporate job after finishing my studio art program and continued my art as a passion. It wasn’t until I had children that I fell back in love with painting to destress and focus on a project just for me. I found a community of like-minded artists on Instagram who inspired me to begin creating again. I founded Summer Grace Studios in 2020 during maternity leave with my second daughter. At this time, I began creating artwork for friends and family after developing a new style of abstract florals. My artwork incorporates a mix of alcohol inks, metallic accents, and acrylic paint combined to create a dreamy, abstract design. When my children asked to “wear mommy’s flowers,” I began digitizing my artwork to create product surface patterns. Summer Grace Studios is my storefront, where I use my abstract floral patterns on various products such as swimming suits, yoga mats, makeup bags, and beach totes.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Finding time for art is always challenging as a busy mom with a full-time corporate job in marketing. But I am the best version of myself when prioritizing time to create. I wake up very early each day to prioritize time to recharge, focus on my faith, and then paint. Painting is my meditation and a sacred and cathartic time for me. I work through life’s challenges using color to express and sort through my feelings and memories of powerful events. “How my kids see me” is my biggest driver as I reach for new goals and push myself to try new things with my art business. Women supporting women goes further than the idea of strong women supporting each other. It also means supporting the next generation of women and empowering my daughters to pursue all their dreams. I want to be a living example to them that their bright futures are only limited by their ability to believe in themselves. It’s not always easy to create something so precious to you and put it into the world to be judged, but I have become stronger and better at that over time. I am so grateful for my friends and supporters who have reached out to me over the years to express their admiration for my artwork and request custom pieces for their homes or purchase items from my online stores. My kiddos are my biggest supporters and love to create with me in my studio.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think the joyful, creative feeling while painting can be shared. I hope folks with a piece of my art in their homes or an item with a Summer Grace Studios floral pattern can feel the love that went into every piece. Because I firmly believe that each female has the power to uplift other women, I name all of my floral patterns after amazing women in my life. My first floral pattern was named the “Dottie” print after my beloved Grandma, who loved bright, bold floral patterns. My Grandma always encouraged my artwork growing up and taught me to believe in myself and my dreams. She would admire my drawings and paintings and very sweetly tell me I had an exceptional talent that should be shared with others. I also have patterns dedicated to my amazing mom, Pamela, my oldest daughter, Gracie, my younger daughter, Gabriella, and many other wonderful women who have had a positive impact on me. When I think of someone special in my life, I can picture the colors and floral elements that represent their unique style and presence, which helps me create patterns specific to each person. Two other areas I enjoy focusing on are creating custom paintings of a couple’s wedding florals as a keepsake or anniversary gift and capturing beloved pets. My faith is essential in my life and my art practice. The metallic gold ink found throughout my paintings is intended to symbolize God’s light in the world and creative presence in all things.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share?
The COVID-19 crisis was a time of great reflection for me in my art career. I was on maternity leave during the first three months of the pandemic and wanted to do something to help the larger community. So many people were significantly impacted during this time in very different ways. Some of my first surface pattern designs were face masks I sold to brighten up such a dark time. I donated a portion of my sales to relief funds and found that customers felt a little more like themselves when they could wear a floral mask that matched their style. One thing I was so honored to be able to do during this time was a giveaway intended to provide some joy to couples who were forced to cancel or delay their wedding due to COVID-19. The giveaway was for a custom floral painting or surface pattern inspired by their wedding florals. I had so many amazing entries and was so touched to bring a small ray of sunshine into a stressful time for a lovely couple in the New York area who had to postpone their wedding due to the pandemic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/SummerGraceStudios
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summergracestudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SummerGraceStudios/
