Hi, I’m Marisa. 👋
I’m a Los Angeles–based Artist + Educator behind Creative Thursday.
I make paintings + products designed to bring a little more beauty and joy into everyday life… and I mentor Artists who want to build a thriving business with their creativity—without burning out or losing themselves in the process.
So… what is Creative Thursday?
“And what is Creative Thursday?” you ask.
A question I hear often.
Here’s the pretty simple answer (and one that only took me fifteen years to trust):
I am happiest when I am being creative.
Creative Thursday is the umbrella I created for all the ways creativity shows up in my life—painting, designing products, building a business, and helping other Artists do the same.
The day Creative Thursday was born
I still remember it clearly: chatting with a friend on a drive from Boulder to Denver, I announced (out loud, to another human, so it felt real) that Creative Thursday would be the name of my business “some day.”
I knew two things:
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I’d be endlessly inspired creatively, and
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I never wanted to be boxed in.
Creative Thursday became my permission slip.
And as you can probably guess… “some day” happened. In 2004, I started my business, and through years of trial and error—successes and failures, moments of joy and plenty of tears—I kept going.
That dedication brought me here: to create and share the art, the products, the books, the conversations, and the community you now know as Creative Thursday.
The heart behind my art
If you’ve seen the whimsical characters in my paintings—the ones wearing hats, holding hands, and quietly keeping you company—those little souls showed up when I needed them most.
They’ve always felt like tiny reminders that:
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it’s going to be okay
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you’re allowed to begin again
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you can live joyfully and make a life you love
Life lately (and a new chapter)
These days, I live and work in Los Angeles with my family—and I’m also a new Mom to my daughter, Shay. 💛
Motherhood has changed me in the best ways… and it’s deepened everything I teach about creativity, devotion, and building a life around what matters most. (Because wow—if you can keep showing up when you’re tired, you can keep showing up for anything.)
What you’ll find here
Whether you’re here to collect art, make art, or sell your art, you’re in the right place.
COLLECT ART
Original paintings + prints + joyful products for your everyday life
MAKE ART
Creative inspiration and prompts to help you build a consistent practice (Creative Thursday emails are my favorite way to stay connected)
SELL YOUR ART
Mentorship, coaching, and resources for Artists who want a business that supports their creativity—and a life they love.
A few things I’ve created (and been featured in)
Over the years, my work has been licensed and carried through brands and retailers including Papyrus, Oopsy Daisy, Urban Outfitters, Land of Nod, Target, and Pottery Barn Kids. I’ve also designed fabric collections with Andover Fabrics (with printing through Kokka Fabrics in Japan).
My book Creative Thursday: Every Day Inspiration to Grow Your Creative Practice was published in 2012, and my coloring book was released in 2014.
My work has been featured on outlets including The Today Show, Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Where Women Create, Country Living, Mollie Makes, and more—and has appeared in TV and film (including a fun moment in Avengers: Endgame).
I’m also the founder of the Creative Thursday Community, and the Artful Selling program for Artists and have hosted virtual art events, pop-up galleries, and creative gatherings for Artists.
If you’re wondering what to do next…
Here’s my best advice (and it’s simple):
You know that little voice of inspiration—the one that gets excited when you imagine going in a certain direction?
Follow it.
With love and creativity,
xo Marisa