Cendrine Marrouat's journey into the arts is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Starting her career on a whim, Cendrine has since blossomed into a multifaceted artist, embracing poetry, photography, painting, and more. Her story is one of constant evolution, challenging the status quo, and pursuing her own path despite the odds. From her first poem in 2005 to co-founding platforms like Auroras & Blossoms, she remains driven by a desire to uplift and inspire. Through her art, Cendrine encourages others to embrace creativity, trust their unique voice, and find joy in self-expression.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in the arts, and how has your journey evolved since then?
I started my career on a whim. One day of January 2005, I wrote my first poem, and that was it. (I wrote about it here: https://creativeramblings.com/poetry/i-write-your-name/)
My path is atypical, to say the least. Not because I am completely self-taught, but because I have done things that other people thought I would never be able to achieve: poetry, writing in English, publishing books, photography, painting…
Challenging myself constantly has made my artistic journey very enjoyable.
Can you share a personal story that has significantly shaped your creative path?
Nothing has shaped my creative path more than my meeting with Poet and Author David Ellis, with whom I founded Auroras & Blossoms and A Warm Mug of Cozy. We have also co-authored books and invented poetry forms together. When we put our brains together, the results are invariably inspiring.
David is not just a wonderful friend, but he is also a very reliable and dependable person. I feel very lucky that our paths crossed.
How do you manage to balance your diverse roles as a poet, photographer, painter, and digital artist?
When you enjoy yourself, things manage themselves on their own. Everything flows naturally. So, I never really have to think about it. To me, it is all about passion and a commitment to be the happiest person I can be.
What challenges have you faced as an indie artist in the current digital landscape?
The last 10 years have witnessed very positive changes in the art world. Greater diversity and less gatekeeping are wonderful things! With that said, old habits die hard. Overall, women artists are still not taken as seriously as their male counterparts. The world continues to expect us to behave, look, and label ourselves a certain way; and our work to stay limited in scope. We also still have to endure harassment, bullying, and trolling much more often than men.
The online discourse around poetry is not evolving fast enough either. Indie poets are probably the artists who receive the least support. Algorithms will only promote our content if it is controversial or negative. Our books are rarely given exposure in the media. Some platforms even blatantly refuse to work with us. And most people expect us to give away our work for free. As a result, very few of us are actually able to make any money.
Another major challenge is the scams that keep making the rounds: NFTs, vanity publishing, fake movie deals and commissions, paid reviews, etc. I would say that 80% of the emails / private messages I receive are scamming attempts. Some companies will even harass you over the phone.
How have the changing algorithms on social networks impacted your work and visibility as an artist?
While my visibility has definitely been impacted, I have never paid attention to algorithms. The numbers game is not my thing. I create because I must.
I grew up without the internet or a computer, so I remember life before social media. Our current obsession with outside validation is unhealthy.
What role does mental health play in your creative process?
I suffered from a long, crippling depression when I was younger. Most days, I was in a fetal position—mentally and physically. Art helped me accept myself, embrace and heal from my traumas, and forgive those who had hurt me.
Healing and forgiveness are topics I cover in The Meaning, one of my latest books. (See my introduction here: https://creativeramblings.com/latest-news/introducing-the-meaning/)
Everything I do as an artist is steeped in a desire to help those who might experience what I once had to live with. My stories often broach topics like suicide, guilt, and depression. My main characters are strong, albeit flawed women who always learn an important lesson or two about loss and pain.
My poetry, paintings, and photography focus more on the need to pay attention to the little things in life. I want to encourage people to seek everyday joy.
How do you stay motivated when facing setbacks or creative blocks?
Life experience helps. The older I grow, the less I worry about setbacks and blocks. I know that nothing is set in stone, that today’s trouble will be gone tomorrow. You just need to be patient and believe in the process.
What advice would you give to other women pursuing careers in the arts or creative industries? In your experience, how can indie artists combat the perception that their work is subpar compared to mainstream art?
I see many women (and men) ruin their chances of success because they value other people’s opinions of their work over their own voice. They give up before even trying.
If you believe in what you do, if it makes you happy, then it is right for you. What others think is irrelevant.
Comparing your style to other artists’ is a waste of time and energy. Only do it if you want to understand what makes your style unique.
Do not take negative comments personally. More often than not, people project their own insecurities.
Treat yourself and your work the way you want others to treat you.
Be bold, be you. The rest is taken.
How do you perceive the fragmentation of audiences due to multiple social networks?
As a normal part of the digital landscape. Social media has always been cyclical.
People will eventually realize how much they have been missing. There is a reason why forums and blogs have always been popular, after all. Human beings crave community.
How do you see the future of indie art in a world dominated by mainstream media?
There have been tremendous changes in the indie world in the last 10 or 15 years. The stigma attached to the word “indie” is still strong, but an increasing number of people have realized that traditional / mainstream art is not automatically better. This is especially true with books. Most readers are no longer able to tell the difference between indie and traditionally published books, which has led to great success for more indie authors than ever before.
The future of indie art looks bright.
Can you talk about the founding of Auroras & Blossoms and A Warm Mug of Cozy, and what these platforms mean to you?
As I mentioned earlier, I founded both websites with Poet and Author David Ellis.
Auroras & Blossoms was born in 2019 and is based on the concept of PoArtMo (Positive Actions Rally Thoughts & Momentum). David and I wanted to create an inclusive and family-friendly spot on the internet that celebrates positivity and upliftment in the arts.
Our yearly publication, The PoArtMo Anthology, features a selection of works (poetry, stories, photography, drawings, paintings…) from David, me, Azelle Elric, Marjolein Rotsteeg, and special guests ages 17 and over. So far, we have released five volumes.
Our submission period usually opens at the beginning of the year.
Website: https://abpositiveart.com/
David and I love short cozy mysteries. Unfortunately, most of the market is about novels. So, in 2022, we launched A Warm Mug of Cozy to change things. Every year, we invite writers to submit their short stories for potential acceptance in our anthology.
The second volume of A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology was released in 2024.
Website: https://warmmugofcozy.com/
A&B and A Warm Mug of Cozy matter because they promote diversity in creativity. No matter who you are, where you come from, and what your passion is, we welcome you with open arms. We stand against gatekeeping.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
There have been many rewarding moments! Two stick out in particular.
The first is when someone emailed me to let me know that one of my books had saved their life. A few years later, a reviewer mentioned that my style reminded them of Kahlil Gibran’s. Gibran is my all-time favorite artist.
How do you maintain your creative energy across multiple mediums and projects?
By focusing on things that fulfill me and projects that bring me joy. I have a healthy level of self-confidence in my work. I don’t compare myself to others. I stay away from negativity. Finally, I do not give mental space to haters and trolls.
What message do you hope to convey through your art to your audience?
Gatekeepers have talked the world into believing that art must come with a complex message; and that it is only valid if it is exhibited in galleries and museums.
My work stands in the opposite direction. I want to entertain and inspire others. Hopefully, those who see my work will agree.
Threads and Mastodon: @haikushack
Website: https://creativeramblings.com
