Rising Stars: Meet Theodosia Marchant

Today we’d like to introduce you to Theodosia Marchant.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Athens, Greece, and completed my studies in law in London, UK. I practiced as an English & EU registered attorney for years before relocating to the US, Los Angeles after my partner accepted a job offer he could not turn down. While in the US, I worked for my UK employer for a while before it naturally ended due to the distance, so I had to decide what to do next. For the last few years of my legal practice, I wasn’t satisfied with what I was doing career-wise and was hoping that the move to the US would open another door for me or help me clarify the next career step. And indeed, it did. After spending some time working exclusively on my art, I was ready in 2016 to show the world what my art is about.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I was first starting, it used to feel that things were falling into place naturally and relatively quickly. My work received positive feedback; I was getting into many group shows and building my cv and press exposure slowly and steadily. I had two solo shows in 2019, and then the pandemic happened. Career progression for a lot of artists was paused, including my own. Some health issues also hit my family, so my focus was shifted entirely. I took some considerable time off the art scene, and when I returned, I did an overall evaluation of my art practice and what my goals were and started full speed working toward these. I can tell you that since setting clear goals, there is a lot of work behind the scenes, not struggles per se, but the amount of work going into being a full-time working artist is more than most people imagine. I have a small child too, so working around his schedule is very important to me, and that adds to the pressure of being present for him, a good mother, and the artist I want to be.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a visual artist; I paint. Sculptures and sculpting are something I would like to explore soon too. When I was starting, I was lucky enough to have a mentor, an artist who had been in the art scene for decades, and one of the things he advised me to make sure I have my distinctive style and voice, not a derivative of someone else but a unique voice, easily recognizable as mine. And that was probably one of the most valuable pieces of advice art-wise I have ever received. My painting style is described as figurative art. I have developed a style of figures which has evolved over the years, and through them, I tell stories based on ideas that inspire me or are based on my life and my experiences. I recently started getting into fashion and wearable art. I am collaborating with the art gallery-boutique “In Heroes We Trust” in Melrose Place, Los Angeles, where my wearable art is available.

What are your plans for the future?
I am building two solo shows, one for a gallery in Los Angeles and the other one for a gallery abroad. Both projects I will announce formally soon. The audience of these two galleries differs, so it is exciting and challenging to capture the essence of what each solo has to be about. It’s a journey, a process that I enjoy. Developing more aspects of my wearable art is also a fascinating prospect, and I plan to spend some time on this idea to set it right.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theodosia-marchant.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theodosia_marchant/