Check Out Maranda Orth’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maranda Orth.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
I’ve been creative all my life. I have always been multi-talented in any form of art and design. I have been on and off painting since I moved to KC in 2019. Until recently, I decided to go full-time into the market. This decision came about when I was working full-time as a graphic designer. I found myself not getting enough of a creative outlet, so I started painting in my downtime and after work. If I felt really ambitious, I’d sometimes add layers to my lunches.

Ultimately I wasn’t happy where I was working and decided to take a corporate hiatus and immerse myself in my own creative work. I don’t know when I’ll ever return to working in an office or if I will. It would take a lot, or a place I know would be happy with. Nevertheless, I am a Freelance Graphic Designer, Content Creator, and Artist. I am self-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQ-owned, and I couldn’t be happier living my little gay-ass painting life.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
I didn’t take a corporate hiatus for anything. It wasn’t the workflow that made me leave. It was the people. The work was steady, but that wasn’t enough to keep me mentally sane. The people were awful in how they treated me because I was so different. One thing about a marketing team is everyone knows the designers are a bit weird. How do you think they get all their crazy ideas?!

I have never been one to turn down a true critique because, the way I see it, you are giving me insight on how to become better and sharpen what I am creating. But the way I was being given critiques was nothing of a learning experience. I felt I was doing everything wrong and so many things went unmentioned. How was I expected to perform well enough if someone wasn’t being completely open with me?

This was giving me terrible anxiety and so much unneeded stress. Stress over handing work in that should be relieving, right? Not Stressful? The satisfaction of getting something done was not there. I was so stressed and anxious that it affected my health physically.

The team I worked with wasn’t a space where I felt my work was valued; I felt I was overly criticized because of who I was. I hoped to grow and learn as a designer in the corporate space, but that didn’t happen – so I’ve pivoted the best I could and now I feel like I’m flourishing despite that experience.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My style comes from an urban esc street culture and aesthetic. Artistically speaking, I like to create utopias that emphasize self-expression with a deconstructive take. I feel different moments intensely and yield this feeling of balance and sense onto a canvas. I take these compounds and try to reach the maximum capacity of something coherent enough while maintaining a consistent style. Anything that awakens a feeling or movement in me, I create a visual sense of wonder for all spectators to depict their perception.

I want to make a visual magnet for a diverse crowd of art lovers, skaters, and urban stylists. I think that broad demographic will set me aside from some other artists, show people something different, and allow their minds to wander while taking in this utopia I’ve created. I am proud that I can take my life experiences and feelings into my mind and create something for people to consume and enjoy while making a staple memory of something that has happened to me personally.

A friend recently told me that most people don’t have the GONADS to turn away from society’s norms. And chase after what they are passionate about and not pressure themselves too much with the question “will I make it” and if I keep thinking that way, it may hinder my creative process and add pressure. Chances are, you’ll pivot along the way. Even if things don’t lead you where you thought they would come in the beginning, you’ll never regret this season of your life – chasing your dream relentlessly and without hesitation. I am committed and 100% in on what I am doing, which drives me towards my goals and what I want to achieve. This motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing and continue to create relentlessly.

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
Taking risks puts you out of your comfort zone, and as an artist, you’re here to give up a piece of your comfort. Being vulnerable and open to putting what’s in your mind out there is one thing, but publicizing it to the world is another. People will always have their opinion on whether it is good or bad. I use that as fuel to become even better and grow. I would consider myself a risk-taker because what I do is a huge risk. As a graphic designer, I stopped having a normal 9-5 job, salary, benefits, stability, and growth and started working for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gimmiemodesigns.com/
• Instagram: @gimmie_mo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gimmiemodesigns
• Other: tiktok: @gimmie_mo

Image Credits
All pictures of art I took myself. My friend Preston Folkestad took the headshot of me at one of my shows I had this past spring.