Today we’d like to introduce you to Marta Francine Solis.
Marta Francine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hi. Let’s see, my story is pretty long but I’ll highlight the important facts. I was born and raised in Costa Rica. I have a degree in Fine Arts and Painting with a minor in Communication and Art History. I moved to United States shy of my 21st birthday and have lived here since. I do travel home as often as I can, as most of my family still lives there and I am a jungle and outdoors human at heart.
My father held a career in politics, serving as a legislative counselor as well as Senator before retiring and relocating to New York City when I was still a kid. My mother raised me and my siblings thereafter. She has been a seamstress and fiber artist since she was a teen and it evolved into a career that has lasted until present day. It is no secret I inherited her love for textiles. I grew up surrounded by sewing machines, needles, thread, lace, textiles, yarn, and measuring tape. I learned how to cut fabric without stitch instructions, just like my mother does, using only my naked eye. I appreciate sewing patterns but there is nothing like cutting through a piece of fabric using only your measured length and knowledge. Aside from textiles, when my mother was not sewing she was taking care of plants. Another greatest love of mine worth mentioning as my career goals continue to evolve and this is an important piece for what’s down the line in my future.
AS for how I go to where I am today, Costa Rica has an extensive artisan culture. You are taught at a young age to appreciate traditional art forms as they are passed down in your family through generations. This is what got me here, trying my luck as a fiber artist in Texas all while honoring the lessons passed on to me by my loved ones back at home.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, this road has been far from smooth but I can say I have learned from life what they don’t teach in books and for that I am grateful. I moved to United States with broken English, leaving all my family and friends behind, not knowing what credit score meant, never owning a cell phone before, having no clue what highways looked like, or what was going to be of my life after turning 21 in this country everyone back home called a dream. I started working multiple jobs at coffee shops, as a bartender at nights, as a server at my sister’s restaurant, all while taking classes at San Antonio College to polish my language skills and get some photography and design credits added to my degree. I gained experience and learned my ways around the city, moved up and landed positions as a downtown hotel reservations supervisor, overlooking revenue and forecast for the hotel, then moved on to policy service and loans at a well-known insurance company where I stayed put for several years.
Sometime around 2010 I joined a staffing company with the auto manufacturing industry and worked my way up for 8 years until this company sadly closed its doors. (I gained a lifelong friend and mentor there for who I am thankful). I could have jumped back into a desk job but instead took the opportunity to try my luck at fibers and textiles and dove into opening my very own small business as a fiber artist. I started off with handwoven and macramè goods. I ordered tons of rope with what little money I had and started knotting plant hangers and wall hangings, then felting earrings and creating large scale commissions. It has definitely been trial and error for all of my processes but giving up has not been an option for the last eight months I have been growing my small business.
Some of the most heartfelt struggles have had to do with the financial aspect of starting a company with no savings, no full-time job, no customer base, no experience. I had to learn the hard way what markets worked for me, what permits are needed as an art vendor, how to navigate sales taxes, and how to carry on a stable financial lifestyle that supports my family when the steady paychecks ended and all that comes in is the income from selling my work at markets and online. I now have infinite appreciation for those that leave a corporate job to pursue their dreams in a creative field, especially those who build their brand from ground up with nothing but hopes and dreams for their small business. Sure, anyone can tie a knot, but not everyone can do it for a living.
Please tell us about MartaFrancine Handwoven Goods.
I create all work myself, I spend a lot of time reading and researching the history of knotting, textiles and cultures that are known for incorporating fibers into their daily life. I started by creating a line of plant hangers and wall hangings that I sell at markets and through social media. I have focused on macramè. That is what I consider myself strongest at, aside from sewing.
I try my best to use mostly natural fibers. My goal is to eventually hand dye all fibers I work with to create my own color palette as a staple for the making of my pieces. I know my brand is new, I know there is an abundance of fiber artists out there, but I believe in uniqueness and finding your own style and ways. I put a lot of emphasis on inspiring myself through learning from others but always maintaining my own identity. I especially do little soul dances when someone approaches my work and comments on how different and colorful it is. But then again I do soul dances anytime my work goes home with someone or gets loved on. I am a one woman production and it means so much to be appreciated and recognized for my hard work and creativity.
As for the road ahead, I plan on starting a collection of handwoven pieces made directly on stretched canvas as opposed to looms, playing with texture and color. I am also currently designing a line of handmade contemporary quilts I hope to start showing later this fall. I am hoping to be able to repurpose old garnments to do so, pitching in a little with helping minimize the effects of the textile producing industry. I also have a couple of very large projects lined up, a restaurant collection of wall hangings for a new business opening up in McAllen, TX and a solo show at a gallery in San Antonio later in the Spring.
As for long term goals, I am exploring a horticulture and nursery management degree in hopes to own a plant nursery brick and mortar in the next five years or so, where I can also offer woven home and garden decor, landscaping design, and showcase other artist friends in my shop through a curated selection of locally made goods. Nothing like paying it forward! I know it sounds ambitious, but I hope to be able to merge both my green thumb and fiber skills into a sustainable and humble livelihood in the years to come. Oh, and get out of the city and into a ranch. That has been a dream in my family for many years now.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Certainly but only one thing, preparing financially. Honestly, that is the only thing I would change. Aside from that, I would still go through the long days and nights knotting, building websites on my own, moving studios, saying yes to every market, traveling back and forth to other cities to try my luck. I truly believe that each hiccup and lesson learned gave me the work ethic and skills I have today. Besides, I did not do it alone. I had infinite support behind the curtains right at home to get through it even when it felt I could not.
Pricing:
- Plant Hangers start at $38
- Wall Hangings vary by size but start at $45
- Hand felted jewelry starting at $22
Contact Info:
- Website: www.martafrancine.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/martafrancine
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/martafrancinefiberart
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
