Meet Columbus, OH-based Artist Gracie Morbitzer

Images courtesy of Gracie Morbitzer.

GRACIE MORBITZER is a Columbus, Ohio-based fine artist. Visit her work at themodernsaints.com.

CATHOLIC ARTIST CONNECTION: What do you see as your personal mission as a Catholic working in the arts?

GRACIE MORBITZER: My mission with The Modern Saints is to reimagine these extraordinary people as modern, everyday humans... because that is exactly what they were, and they remind us of ourselves. They show us that we can all be saints just like them. Ancient icons of saints portray everyone as old, white, expressionless, and hard to tell apart. But the saints were hopeless, spunky, terrified, lonely, individualistic, rebellious, progressive, loving, ambitious, counter-cultural, or boisterous outcasts and sinners who reached beyond themselves and made the world and themselves so much better.

In these paintings, I have tried to make a point to prove that fact. I have corrected ethnicities to show the Church’s more widespread, though hidden, diversity. I have given each a character or personality and a real human expression. I have given each a style and a modern twist.

To further this notion of extraordinary coming from ordinary, I have painted each on a discarded or thrifted piece of wood. Much like the saints, each plaque once forgotten was transformed and is now revered.

St. Stephen

I believe that it is my personal mission to do exactly this with my work so that our Church can be more welcoming. It's much harder to not be welcoming of people who look like and live lives like your own saints did when you are able to see them that way.

Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?

I have found a lot of support from youth ministers who realize that seeing the saints in this way does help get the idea through to younger generations. I have found support from writers who are trying to expose the same kinds of traditional lack of representation, and I have found support from numerous members of the laity and religious life alike that have been waiting for something like this for a long time.

Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?

I have found so much support for my faith from fellow artists because of my project. The mindsets and the harm that I am trying to unravel with The Modern Saints affects so many of them who either have grown up in the faith and left it or have always stayed away because of that harm. They see this work and the work that many others like me are doing and they are so thankful that people who are still a part of the Church care about these issues.

How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?

The Church can begin featuring artists in its public spaces - local artists especially. And the Church can decide to have real conversations about the traditional art that it chooses to feature continuously despite lack of representation, real human expressions, diversity, or historical accuracy. It can also seek to understand the trauma processing that many artists do in their pieces and not immediately condemn any work that seems in opposition to it.

I can also stress more often they way that all of us are called to be co-creators with God, no matter the type of medium.

How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?

The artistic world can certainly stand to be more welcoming to artists of faith as well. Many times during college, my subject matter or faith itself would raise questions, and I certainly did not have a faith community that was established while there. There was much bias and assumptions that my work would be less "edgy" and would be more "watered down." The people at my particular college, however, were just so kind and open. However, that I think it's more of a traditional bias than a personal one.

Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist.

A day I most recently completely lived out my vocation as an artist consisted of working on painting a mural for several hours, answering emails, fulfilling print orders, and responding to comments on social media (both positive and negative!). I derive the most joy from knowing that my work affects people - even if not all people - and can get them to think at least slightly in a different way than what they are used to. I also love being able to use the gifts that I have to make that difference.

How do you financially support yourself as an artist?

I make a living working as an artist full-time, but that is a very recent change. I started this project while I was in school and then worked a full-time job for a year as a curator/researcher.

The most helpful resources for me were Etsy and then the site-building service that I used for my website. When it comes to marketing, everything is so much easier when you are able to feature all you have to offer on a site of your own. I am always searching the internet for new opportunities, and taking (almost) every opportunity that is asked of me.

I also take the time to get to know the people that regularly interact with (comment on, purchase, or ask questions about) my art. Many times they have connections to the next opportunity - if they aren't it, themselves. I also offer commissions, which can open up so many opportunities as well.

What other practical resources would you recommend to a Catholic artist living in your city?

I would recommend my own studio community (700 Bryden) or the other such as 400 W Rich and Blockfort! Even if you are unable to rent a studio in these spaces, they always are providing workshops, events, and networking opportunities.

Being involved with the Columbus College of Art & Design is also great - again, even if you aren't a full-time student, they have weekend classes open to everyone and many events, such as their art fairs, that can help you build connections. The Columbus Metropolitan Library system is literally award-winning, and it is the absolute best.

I also love the Dominican Sisters at Ohio Dominican University who are devoted to artists and make art central to their space. Diocesan school auctions are also a great place to give back with your art while spreading the word about it at the same time.

What are your top 3 pieces of advice for Catholic artists post-graduation?

1. Make sure that you have and keep up with hobbies and activities other than your art. This will help you develop your community and also stay inspired.

2. Understand your own personal needs when it comes to having a work-life balance, and don't be afraid to "spoil" yourself if an upgrade or new type of project would make a difference.

3. Learn graphic design and marketing skills, at least on a very basic level. This really sets you apart when it comes to social media posts and a website/ portfolio, and you'll need it for sure if you are planning on starting your own business.

Do what really matters to you! It's what we are called to do. Don't do what you think will sell or what you think as popular. Don't be afraid to ruffle some feathers - if everyone likes it, it is probably not honest enough to make a big difference. Being truly ourselves and living and working authentically while sharing our art is how we make a difference in the world and make our path to sainthood.