Rising Stars: Meet Jade Maracic of new york

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Maracic.

Hi Jade, 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?
Hi! My name is Jade Maracic, and I’m a 21-year-old artist studying Fine Arts at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I grew up on Long Island, New York, in a lively household with four siblings, supportive parents, and lots of animals. So how did I get here? It definitely wasn’t a straight path.

As a kid, I dreamed of being on Broadway and pursued acting diligently (along with opera singing and tap dancing, of course). But then I fell in love with softball—and many other things. I’ve always had a deep curiosity about the world, constantly trying anything “new” and whatever random side quest catches my interest. I love many things, but the one constant in my life has always been creating art.

Spending my childhood constantly being rejected at auditions, the creative fields seemed intangible. In acting, if you made it, you were in, and reaching that level was a dream for so many people. But as a painter, I thought you had to be dead to be recognized. I wanted people to see what I could do while I was still here to show for it.

Even throughout high school, I never considered art as a serious option. I didn’t take any art classes until my senior year, and that was only to fill my schedule—I had no intention of pursuing it. I didn’t have the “I always wanted to be an artist” template. Instead, I originally committed to playing softball at a small school in Pennsylvania, thinking I’d study environmental science. At the time, I believed I needed a more “practical” career path, especially with the constant warnings about the “starving artist” life.

Eventually, I made the difficult decision to quit softball, leaving behind years of hard work, and enrolled at Fordham Lincoln Center for digital design. It felt like a compromise—I could be creative while still maintaining a sense of “stability.” But deep down, I knew I wasn’t fully embracing my passion.

When I transferred to FIT, I had to start all over. The two years I spent studying my ass off at Fordham were essentially erased, and I’m still in the process of making up for those lost years—with another two ahead of me. But I regret nothing.

I took a leap of faith, said “screw it,” and went all in on my art. I never looked back. I’m so thankful for the multiple lives I lived before finding this path—they allowed me to meet so many beautiful people who continue to inspire me. Now, I trust the world around me and lean on my faith in God. This path, as uncertain and untouchable as it once seemed, is exactly where I’m meant to be. I was made to create.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. When I transferred schools, I felt behind because I was older than most of my peers. Meanwhile, my childhood friends and partner are graduating to become engineers and doctors, while I still have two more years to earn my art degree. At times, it was difficult not to compare myself, but these struggles actually led me to find myself again. I battled severe depression and anxiety, and before I found the help I needed, art became my outlet. Another challenge was convincing not just my friends and family, but myself, that a dream like this was possible. I never thought I would be where I am today.

All my life, I was always the youngest—the one who had to live up to everyone else’s expectations. But at the same time, I took pride in the fact that I was younger and still persevered. When I transferred, the narrative flipped, and suddenly, I felt behind. It was a hard shift to navigate, but through everything—personal hardships, loss, and uncertainty—I’ve realized that being true to myself is what really matters. Ever since I embraced my own path, I’ve found a sense of peace amidst the chaos.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multimedia artist still navigating my voice. I predominantly work with oil paints in a figurative style, drawing inspiration from my surroundings and personal experiences with the world. Travel and new experiences fuel my creativity—photographs and memories I collect often become integral to my artistic process.

I admire the muted yet rich tones of Renaissance paintings. While I’ve attempted to replicate that aesthetic, I naturally gravitate toward more vibrant hues. This is why I believe my work more so resembles Impressionist works, particularly their color palettes. I admire artists like Jennifer Packer, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Chuck Close—though their styles vary greatly, I appreciate the artistic freedom they each pursue. I try to incorporate elements from all of them into my own work.

My process, much like my life, is not constant but ever-changing. It shifts depending on my emotions, the materials I have on hand, and the circumstances of the moment. This fluidity keeps my work dynamic and authentic to who I am as an artist. Moving forward, I hope to continue networking with other like-minded creatives and further embed myself in the art community, expanding my perspective and growing both personally and professionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jademaracic01.myportfolio.com/work?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2JZhHfuHSuRFnMgSEGY7oEpsZKK4oudWs92Do_gU15c8rj8JqV3YghNA_aem_XWGqyokgeILnNhrpv3QooA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadesartaccount_/