We had the good fortune of connecting with Brigitte De Marco and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Brigitte, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was a high school art teacher for nearly a decade before coming to the conclusion that I wanted to start my own business. While there are many issues in the world of public education that helped me decide that I needed change in my life, it was also ironically my love for the job that lead me to it: As an art teacher, I was often privileged with the opportunity to contribute to public art projects. I lead my class in community service opportunities, chalk art competitions, public murals, etc and realized that these experiences brought me the largest sense of fulfillment. Guiding young people in an art practice that would affect the community was the peak of art education for me.
Along the way, I received opportunities for myself as well and realized I loved the effect my own art had on the community. People often stop me while I paint to ask questions, compliment my work, or engage their children in conversations about art. This impact is what lead me to shift my career from art teacher to full-time artist. I continue to teach art in my new career, but in the form of community paint nights. Even in this task, I see the need for artistic spaces. I know the power of strong teaching, so my goal is to have my classes walk away impressed with themselves. This connection between the power of artistic practice and my community is a driving factor for my business.
Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
On the surface, my art is similar to what people may have already seen, but underneath, there is a story of belonging: I was born by the beach in California, a dream location for many, but as a young child growing up there, I always felt somehow out of place. The ocean did not call to my soul the way the desert did when I moved to Arizona at 12 years old.
My interest in painting my environment really came about when I moved to Flagstaff for University. Flagstaff looks nothing like what people think of when they picture Arizona: a hidden gem nestled amongst the pine trees and covered in light snow in the winters. This experience started a fascination for me as it showed me that Arizona is a diverse, wondrous, and nearly impossible landscape. From the saguaro covered deserts of Tucson and pastel sunsets of Phoenix, to the magical red rock of Sedona and surprising forests of Flagstaff, it is truly just enchanting to me!
Every year I spend here, every place I visit, the more I fall in love. When I paint, I use bright colors, expressive movement, and almost abstract textures/patterns. I exaggerate in an attempt to get my viewer to see what I see, to fall in love with Arizona. When people see my art, I hope they will feel this love in the colors and composition.
My journey as an artist/ muralist is really only just beginning, and in a world of unfathomable competition and AI art, I know there are many challenges ahead, but I also know that this is the path for me. I wake up every morning absolutely thrilled to get started creating. It energizes me in a way that makes this career choice undeniable. I believe this is the way people are supposed to feel about their work.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the most incredible aspects of Phoenix is that you can pretty much get anywhere in the state in just a couple of hours. It makes day trips so easy! Ideally, I would start a trip east to Tucson to visit San Xavier del Bac, or even to Bisbee. After a day of rest, we would take a trip up north, start with a morning hike in the Sedona red rock and a gallery walk in Tlaquepaque. I would head to Flagstaff for the evening, enjoy Josephine’s Restaurant for dinner before going dancing on the square. We’d head back down the next day to enjoy the rest of the week in Phoenix. Coffee at Lola’s, a trip to the Heard museum one day, the Phoenix Art Museum or Botanical Gardens another, perhaps a walk down Rosevelt Row. We’d have dinner at Kai Zen one night, Postino on another, and probably Joyride Tacos. At the end of the night, we’d have a glass of wine at Genuwine AZ where I have many friends.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I can say without a doubt that much of my success is due to the small businesses in my community. The coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques around me have reached out to work with me, some of them with no other intention except to help me succeed, or because they just loved my art. It’s truly amazing; however, much credit also belongs to my husband, who is by far my biggest supporter. There has never been a moment where he doubted me. In fact, he has actively helped me create materials for my business, showed up to see me work on every mural, and even helps me run classes and markets when I needed it. He has given up nights and weekends to help me make my dream come true.
Website: www.prickleandpinedesigns.com
Instagram: @prickleandpinedesigns
Facebook: www.facebook.com/prickleandpinedesigns