Hi! My name is Mara and I am the artist behind Mighty River Art Shop @mightyriver.artshop. I’ve been making things since I was a little girl–my mom always had creative projects for us to work on and my sisters and I were always busy with our imaginations. I took art classes through high school and college, but always on the side. I named my shop in 2020 and after a couple student fairs in college, I am so excited to be vending at my FIRST shows this summer!
I love drawing and painting what I see in nature as well as turning messages of hope into art. I am a deep feeler and I love getting to express that through creativity. I love seeing the beauty in simple things and paying attention to where the light hits. Art is what brings me peace, joy, and hope. It is one of the things I am truly proud of and feel at home in.
I am most proud of getting into 3 shows this summer (2 through Urban Craft Uprising) and getting to vend for the first time! This is a major culmination of years of preparation and work. It is a small start, but it is extremely exciting to be making my dreams a reality.
Do you donate to any charities through the proceeds of your sales that you would like to highlight?
Yes! It is a key part of Mighty River Art Shop to give back. In fact, the name “Mighty River” comes from a verse in Amos about turning words into action and seeking justice and righteousness. This summer, customers can choose whether they want their 10% donated to support immigrants and refugees through World Relief or offer small business loans to underserved communities through Kiva.
All of my items are new because this is my first season! One I’d love to highlight are my Washington Coloring Books. My husband Kevin has been a casual photographer for years. I collected some of my favorite photos of his taken in Washington and turned them into a 20-page coloring book!
