Meet Cantrell Maryott Driver | Visual and performance artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cantrell Maryott Driver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cantrell, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up walking in the muted colored hills and sandy arroyos of the Sonoran desert. Old and misshapen parts, rusty and washed with an ancient patina, became mysterious treasures. Various environments and cultures create their own unique artifacts; they tell a story of place, not only records of time, but a visual and tactile link to it. Each, a record of the peoples that discarded the element, as well as the environmental forces that shaped it, a connection between the doings of a people and the forces of the land, a sacred connection found within the most disjointed elements and brought together in harmony

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been an artist. I first sang in front of an audience when I played and sang Old Susanna on my autoharp for show and tell in first grade. I have also always made assemblage, long before I was aware of it as a modality. Except for some classes in Highschool I was not schooled in art or music, it has always been something I just did.
Started singing in bands, in clubs when I was 16. This year makes it 50 years of on stage performing. In all those years I have sung every kind of music. With a wild collection of musicians all over the world. And almost always on my own terms.
And all the time putting together what I came to refer to as Reliquary’s.
The art started out as small blessings, as gifts when a friend bought a home or had a celebration. In time they have become larger and more complex. never losing their magic.
And no this life has never been easy, I have spend a lifetime pushing against the norms, refusing to play by any of the rules.
And yet at this stage I would not have done it any different. It is just how I am wired.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I spend a lot of time in Nature so we would walk in the Desert amongst Saguaros. I would do a tour of the Tucson Murals, which are spectacular.
Hopefully a good show either on the outdoor stage at Congress Hotel or Monterey Court.
Favorite special restaurants, Feast, BOCA, St Augustine’s, Sunday afternoon at Borderlands.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Husband David Driver who has stood by and encouraged .Sharon Holnback of Triangle L Ranch Art Ranch who gave me my first Gallery show.

Website: www.cantrellMaryott.com

Linkedin: lauradriver3052cantrellsings

Facebook: Cantrell Maryott

Youtube: cantrell driver @cantrella3

Other: www.chanteling.com