Power from the strokes of a paintbrush was DeMarcus Smith’s emotional therapy.
Following a loved one’s tragic death, art gave him a sanctuary.
“I’ve been drawing forever, but in 2010 my sister was killed and it took a toll on me,” Smith says. “I was in a dark place for a while.”
Sheena Smith, 22, was pregnant and her shooting caused a miscarriage.
“I have three sisters, but she was my oldest. We were really close,” says Smith, 38. “That was the closest person I had ever lost.
“Mentally, I was really shook up about it, so in the fall, trying to get back into some normalcy, I took an art class.”
His grief ultimately led to the formation of MarcMaking, a Flint-based portrait company.
Smith’s creations through MarcMaking will be showcased during 2nd Friday Art Walk from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 14 at Ferris Wheel, 615 South Saginaw St.
MarcMaking specializes in original pieces, including commissioned work, and limited clothing apparel designs.
“Seeing how I’ve always been an artist and I love all aspects of art – drawing, movies, music – that’s the place that I go to deal with stress,” Smith says.
“I think everybody’s an artist in their own right. Even if you’re an athlete, if you put that time and focus into your craft, I think that’s what makes you an artist, no matter what your occupation.”
Smith studied at Mott Community College in the visual communications program. During his time at the campus he participated in a seminar where students were asked to create a brand or company name to help market their art. MarcMaking became his enterprise, but unlike his art, it was underdeveloped.
“At the time I didn’t really have a focus,” he says. “I just wanted to create.”
Still working through grief from his sister’s death, he began freelancing illustrations for Brandon Publishing, which produces children’s books and promotes literacy in Michigan.
In 2011 he was invited to present his first solo art exhibition at a gallery in East Lansing. Smith created vibrant images for the show, including a smiling image of Sheena Smith brought back to life on campus, and a separate, holiday-inspired portrait of his niece, Sheena’s daughter, titled “Amina.”
In 2012 he gained community notice coinciding with President Barack Obama’s return to a second term in the White House. The “Obama Election Art Auction” was held at the Greater Flint Arts Council.
While it’s a great achievement for artists to sell their work, Smith says he also measures professional accomplishment by positive feedback.
“I never try to view success, monetarily, because I know the art world is pretty fickle,” he says.
During a visit to the Chicago Institute of Arts Smith took note of pointillism, a painting technique involving small dots of color used to form patterns of larger images.
“It’s a pretty rare style,” says Smith. “I think it’s becoming more popular these days.”
While the process is time-consuming, he became absorbed.
“I fell in love with it,” he says. “It’s a unique visual experience because, from far away, everything looks connected.”
Having advanced from Mott to University of Michigan-Flint’s art program, where he earned a bachelor degree, Smith began promoting MarcMaking more aggressively as a business enterprise.
“It’s just this year that I’ve become a bit more focused, in terms of where I want to take it,” he says.
Smith communicates with restaurants and businesses in Flint and Detroit and contacts corporate brands that might be interested in artwork to support visual ad campaigns.
“What I’ve noticed on social media is that a lot of companies are collaborating with artists in different ways,” he says.
Smith’s participation in Art Walk will mark a sort of homecoming to Ferris Wheel, which houses a painting he created for the building’s grand opening.
“I love seeing the reactions on people’s faces … that is the thing I look forward to every time I have a painting on display,” says Smith.
While Flint’s market for paying consumers of fine art is a fairly small segment, he says it’s appreciated when the community supports him and his creative peers by attending events and showing general enthusiasm.
“I think that people should be more mindful when they think of creative types,” Smith says. “I know it’s a fickle world, especially for us to continue to put ourselves out here doing what we do, regardless of the pay.
“We just want to be acknowledged for what we do.”
For more information or to purchase MarcMaking artwork please visit the website. You can also check out Facebook and Instagram.
Lead photo: James Thigpen Jr.
Here’s a quick look at some of Smith’s work …
MarcMaking’s art transforms Flint figures into images on canvas added by E.B. Allen on
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