When I asked Marianne Lettieri to join me on The Art Biz, I didn’t expect that an old tomato pin cushion would come up. But that’s exactly the kind of detail that speaks volumes about Marianne’s thoughtful approach to her art and career.
She’s not chasing trends or scrambling to keep up. Instead, she’s slowing down, tuning in, and making deliberate choices about the materials she uses, the time she spends in the studio, and the career opportunities she says yes to.
In this episode, Marianne shares how she’s stayed true to her values while navigating major transitions in life and art. We talk about the difference between urgency and intention, how to recognize what’s worth keeping, and why meaningful progress often comes from using what’s already at your fingertips.
It’s a conversation that invites you to pause and ask:
- What have I overlooked that still has value?
- Where can I be more discerning with my energy?
- How can I bring more intention to both my studio and business practices?
Listen
What do you already have that you’ve been overlooking?
Choose one of these existing resources and do something with it this week—whether by sharing it, following up, or building on it.
Marianne Lettieri Quotes
“I think discernment is such a powerful word. It implies slowness, and attention, and trust.”
“Just because something shows up doesn’t mean I have to follow it or do something about it.”
“I look around and think: What do I already have that I can use? What have I ignored?”
“I really believe that how we spend our time is how we live our lives.”
“I find comfort in the structure of a regular studio practice. I’m always sorting, assembling, arranging—even if I’m not producing a finished piece.”
“I don’t want to race to finish something. I want to let the materials and the ideas tell me when it’s done.”
“This work is rooted in memory—both personal and collective. The materials carry history with them.”
“It’s not about the latest trend. It’s about what I can do with what’s already here.”
Related Episodes
The artists in these episodes discuss a focused approach to their art careers.
About Marianne Lettieri
Visual artist Marianne Lettieri explores memory and shifts in cultural values associated with historical artifacts and salvaged materials. Exhibitions of her work include San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design, Bade Archaeology Museum, Michelson Museum of Art, Kinkfolk House (Fort Worth, TX), Delaware Contemporary, and India International Center (New Delhi, India).
Marianne holds an MFA in Spatial Arts from San Jose State University and a BFA in Drawing and Printmaking from the University of Florida. She currently lives in Granbury, TX.
Follow Marianne on Instagram: @mariannelettieri
