Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Brockhoff.
Hi Marissa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, art was always a hobby of mine. I grew up watching out of the box and I remember always trying to find supplies for the crafts they made each episode. I’ve always been very crafty. I used to carry around a giant binder full of sketchbooks, markers, pencils, all of the above. It was always with me. I definitely knew at a very young age I wanted to go to school for something creative.
So I’m originally from NY, and I ended up going to the Fashion Institute of Technology. (It was literally the only college I applied to, lol) After four years, I graduated with a bachelor’s in Illustration. After school, the only career that was remotely close to illustration was always graphic design. I’ve definitely enjoyed the graphic design positions I’ve had in the past, but it just wasn’t my passion. It was very rare that I got to use my skills in illustration during any of these design positions.
So I created BAM Illustrations. BAM is actually my initials backwards. I started BAM back in 2015/2016 as just a way for me to get my art out there while I was still living in NY. Then I moved down to Florida in 2018 and I immediately pushed myself into the creative community here in Orlando. I started participating in as many markets and cons as I could. I love being a part of the creative community here. Everyone is so kind and supportive of each other.
Then during quarantine, my last design position ended up letting me go due to the pandemic. So I decided to make the most of the situation and turn a negative into a positive. I started putting my art first. Then I found an opening at a tattoo shop and I’m excited to announce that I will be starting my apprenticeship beginning next year! Just being able to create art all day everyday has been my goal. It’s always amazing to see people hanging your art in their homes, and now I can’t wait to have people wearing my art on their skin now too!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been an interesting road for sure, haha. Back in NY, it was very hard for me to find events and markets in the beginning. Then when I moved down to Florida, I was so happy to find that the Orlando creative community is so big! There’s so many amazing markets and events to participate in.
Then last year, I had a huge revelation. 2020 was very hard for me, not only was there a pandemic going on but I ended going through a divorce. I had no motivation to do anything for quite some time. My art was put on hold. I just didn’t have the energy. To create. And then a few months later, I lost my design job due to the pandemic on top of that. 2020 was really testing me, lol.
When that happened, I was fed up, so I took advantage of not working full time and started doing my art full time. I booked as many markets and events as I could. And now I’m looking forward to starting a tattoo apprenticeship soon while still pursuing my art on the side!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So right now, I am the social media manager for a tattoo shop here in Orlando. I plan on starting an apprenticeship with this shop next year! I also have experience with graphic design. Anything such as logo design and branding design. But right now, I like to think I’m most well known for my art! Most people know me as BAM Illustrations 🙂 I’m the one with all the cutesy nerdy art, anything from studio Ghibli to Disney and everything in between.
I’m most proud of my determination. Despite everything I went through last year, I still came out on top and I’m in a much better place now. I also think this is what sets me apart from others because it’s taken a lot of dedication and motivation to get to where I am now. But it’s also because of all the continued support I’ve gained over my social media platforms and from my friends and family.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Follow me on social media! Haha, I mostly post to Instagram, you can find me under @BAM_Illustrations and I’m always open to collabs 🙂 you can also check out my website if you’d like: www.BamArtandDesign.com
You can also find my work in stores! My work is sold in Adjectives in winter garden, la boutique over at the east end market, park ave cds, and tiny shop! You’ll also be able to shop a design of mine at Hot Topic, box lunch, and her universe starting next year! It’s a princess mononoke piece 😄
Pricing:
- Stickers: $3 each or 2 for $5
- Small prints: $8 each or 2 for $12 (5×5’’)
- Large prints: $12 or 2 for $20 (8×8’’)
- Pins: $5
- Air freshies: $5
Contact Info:
- Email: Bam.art.design@gmail.com
- Website: www.bamartanddesign.com
- Instagram: @BAM_Illustrations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BAMillustrations/
