Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Mirabal.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My art journey began just under 10 years ago when I turned 55. It was also a time of spiritual growth. Looking back now I shouldn’t have been surprised. 55 in angel numbers represents big life changes that bring about new blessings. My passions and goals were shifting.
For the 30+ years preceding this new life path I was a wife, mother, and career woman who never thought my two hands were capable of anything other than creating a loving home for my family and juggling a professional life. It wasn’t until I was downsized from corporate America that I struggled to find myself. I no longer had a career to define me. My children were grown and successful in their own careers.
I knew starting over at a new job at this stage in my life was not what I wanted. I wanted more for my second act, something fulfilling…. something that would feed my soul. This time of introspection was exciting and a bit terrifying all at the same time.
Being idle isn’t in my blood. I had to decide on a new path going forward. Having the luxury of time helped me truly look inside myself to realize what made me happy. I’d been holding a silent secret in my heart whenever I visited an art gallery or museum. There was a little voice telling me “you can do this”. I kept quieting this voice as it surely couldn’t be true… I couldn’t even draw a straight line.
Once I stopped arguing with my inner voice and acknowledged its truth, I realized I was holding myself back out for fear of trying something new. But honestly, at this stage of my life what did I have to lose? The only person I had to convince was myself.
But, how would I actually turn this newfound passion into reality? The holidays were coming up so I asked Santa (aka my husband) for a paint set, and then proceeded to look at it for several months before gathering the courage to actually put paint to canvas. It was only then I realized what a beautiful gift I had been given.
I’m in the middle of my life and feel like I’ve just discovered who I am. I was meant to find this gift when it was the right time for me. I was not on my path to becoming an artist until much later in life. The past few years have been so eye-opening and life-changing. And, without intention, my story is inspiring other women to acknowledge and explore their own dreams.
You can find my art on my website and at:
Hat Ranch Gallery – Santa Fe, NM
Dwell, Home Market – Tampa, FL
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would never have guessed that eight years ago, while in my mid 50’s, I’d decide to retire from the corporate world entirely and start to paint. I didn’t have any early art experience. I’m one of eight children from a working family, so we didn’t have time for many extracurricular activities besides sports (which I’m not particularly good at).
For over 30 years I worked in insurance and sales/marketing without touching a paintbrush. It wasn’t until I stopped working a 9-5 job that I found time for myself, and asked myself “What do I want to do? What’s going to make my soul happy?”
There are always challenges and obstacles in your path. Putting your art out in the world takes courage, and not every day is a good day. There are rejections by galleries, exhibitions you didn’t get into, and the creative process in general. But all those things just seem to fade away when someone connects to your artwork and wants to display it in their home.
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 create abstract expressionist pieces along with abstracted landscapes based on my favorite places in Northern New Mexico, from Santa Fe to Taos. I am most proud of how my art affects others. Knowing that sharing my journey to become an artist has inspired others to seek out their own path.
I was so deeply touched by this message sent by one of my followers. “You became an artist because you saw yourself as one and followed your soul. Thank you for inspiring me to follow my dreams.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marymirabalart.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mbmirabal/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marymirabalart/
- Other: https://manhattanarts.com/mary-mirabal/
