Today we’d like to introduce you to Marion C. Vasquez.
Hi Marion, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in France and was drawing from a very young age, although without the spontaneity and playfulness I developed later in life. I was the kind of quiet kid who always colored within the lines, and was more preoccupied with resemblance than expressiveness. I got into art school at 17, but dropped out due to a lack of confidence and maturity. I never stopped drawing, though. I started a zine with my friends, took part in local art shows and did small illustration jobs here and there.
I lived in Paris and Berlin during my twenties, and moved to California in 2020 with my husband. We spent a couple of years in Joshua Tree, where I created my first oracle and tarot decks, and launched my publishing business Little Darkness. Eventually, we moved to LA, and then tragedy struck: my husband passed away in 2024. The desert called out to me as the best place to heal from this huge loss, and I’m grateful for it. Moving back here has unlocked many creative blocks, and allowed my art to become a priceless outlet for emotional processing – more so than ever before.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t, but it’s okay. Every struggle comes with its load of lessons, and at every bump in the road lies an opportunity for growth. Ten years ago, I couldn’t find my place. I believed there was only one way to become a ‘real artist’ and that, being self-taught, I would never get the opportunities that an art school graduate would get. I know now this isn’t true. I like carving my own path. I’ve always had a deep fear of rejection, which is an inconvenient trait for an artist, but in a sense, it pushes me to always do better. The more I create with my own voice, from a place of integrity, the less I worry about what people will think, and the more my work resonates with them. It’s kind of funny.
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 most known for creating Reclaim, an oracle deck that is all about feelings, and Lilifer, a whimsical tarot deck drawn entirely in watercolors. My approach is gentle in its presentation, but I do not sugar-coat. I myself don’t use cards for divination in the traditional sense, but rather as a therapeutic tool. I don’t want to know the future, but I’m interested in knowing what’s going on in my unconscious mind, in my body, and how to use my energy in a productive way.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Detachment. It’s a tricky one, because as artists, our identities become so tangled up in our work. While our sensitivity makes our work unique, it also makes us prone to self-doubt or anxiety. If I’m able to surrender fully to the process and be vulnerable in the moment of creation, then the result is more authentic, and people can feel it. I can then detach from the work, knowing I’ve created something truthful, and what happens next is not up to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://little-darkness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littledarkpress/
