Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariza Morin.
Hi Mariza, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a classic introvert with sometimes crippling social anxiety (but who doesn’t these days, right?), so I was naturally drawn to writing and photography as forms of expression from a young age. My dad’s an artist so art, history, and politics were frequent topics of discussion in our household and this in many ways led the way for me to find my own voice. I started taking photos using my dad’s old 35mm film camera and wrote for my high school’s newspaper.
I then attended the University of Texas at Arlington for Photography initially. But one faithful semester, I took Art of the Western World I, and my professor at the time completely blew me away with her passion for the subject at hand. Art history became more than just looking at masterpieces—I soon transported myself to another time and place in human history with every work of art I set my eyes upon. And I had to learn more. So, I changed my major to Art History (minored in Photography) and gleefully went on to research and write numerous art history papers in school, spending semester after semester in the art library on campus.
After college, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. I knew I loved writing and photography, but I got it in my head back then that I wouldn’t make a good living pursuing either one. So ironically, I decided to go to library school instead! I moved up north to pursue an MA in Library and Information Studies with a focus in Art Librarianship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I worked at the Kohler Art Library, interned at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and completed my practicum at the Wisconsin Historical Society before I graduated in May 2014.
I moved back to Dallas and eventually became the Art Librarian for the Fine Arts Division at the Dallas Public Library. I managed the visual art collections, including prints and rare books, and wrote for DPL’s Booked Solid blog on the history behind these special collections. As much as I loved these aspects of my job, along with providing art research assistance, there were many aspects of the job that I frankly despised (if you’ve ever been a public librarian, you know). I finally realized that life is too short to not go after what you really want in life. So, after 10 years, I decided to leave the art library world behind to focus solely on my writing career.
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?
No, it hasn’t always been smooth—but that’s life. If it were easy, you’d never learn to appreciate the good and beauty in the world. Self-doubt has plagued me throughout the years, but these days I try to trust myself more and not worry too much about the noise (or lack of noise) around me.
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 am a writer who specializes in the history of art, artists’ books, and rare books.
Earlier this year, I started my own art history blog on my website titled Nature Morte: Stories Through Art. Much like the blogs I wrote as an art librarian, I write about art around Dallas and beyond but on my own terms now. Academic writing has never really been my style, but blog writing allows me to educate readers in a more engaging and entertaining way—at least I hope so. Regardless, my goal is to reach a wider audience who may be new to the art world or have been turned off by how pretentious it can oftentimes be. If I can get more people excited about the historical context of significant artworks and the fascinating lives of artists, then I’ve done my job.
But I don’t necessarily want to put myself in a box when it comes to writing. I’m interested in many subjects, including comedy, politics, and literature. It’s early in my writing career, so I’m exploring all my options. I’ve only ever written non-fiction but I also have some fictional story ideas in my head as well—who knows what the future will bring? Of course, writing for yourself alone doesn’t exactly pay the bills. I also work on freelance writing gigs too.
Oh, and I dabble in photography. I mostly take photographs of art and architecture that accompany my writings, but I also love taking street and nature photos on my travels. I’ve always had a diaristic approach to my photography. You can see some of my photography on my Instagram page, but I’m working on uploading more photos to my website—stay tuned!
I’m proud of myself for even having the courage to leave my steady job to pursue an uncertain career in writing. Not that I was exactly making bank before. Hello, I was a public librarian.
And what sets me apart from others? Hopefully, others can determine that without my input.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Unfortunately, I learned that even a global pandemic can’t bring a politically divided nation together and that the government doesn’t always handle crises as well as one might hope.
But on a lighter note, like many people, I learned to reprioritize what’s important in life. For me, this meant spending more time with the ones I love, taking better care of my own physical health, and finding a meaningful career path. I read Dr. Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos during the pandemic, and I couldn’t recommend it enough if you’re feeling lost and in need of some serious tough love and inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marizamorin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nature_morte/
Image Credits
Mariza Morin
