A Brief History of My Life As An Artist
ARTIST BIO
LARA MARGARET MARJERRISON is a queer, neurodivergent, multi-hyphenate using art and words to connect pieces of herself to pieces of the world, sometimes finding glimmers of belonging in the midst.
Born July 2, 1970, Lara is a Canadian artist, based in Toronto, Ontario. She creates in a variety of mediums including literary arts, photography, watercolour, fibre arts, and mixed media. She is the producer and host of the INSIDE STORIES People in Places Podcast.
Lara’s work primarily focuses on giving voice to the voiceless, the misfits, and the underdogs. Her curious and intuitive nature coupled with vigilant observation and resultant understanding of human behaviour—often picking up on what others miss—has allowed her to develop and nurture a deep well of compassion and sensitivity. Influenced by contemplative thought leaders like Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Priya Parker, as well as more fringe writers like Tom Robbins and Neil Gaiman plus countless visual artists over the years, Lara’s aim is to foster compassion and connection, love and liberation, and ultimately joy.
“Life takes guts. I love your guts.” ~Lara Margaret Marjerrison
PUBLISHED WORKS
INSIDE STORIES: People in Places Podcast, Ongoing, Dec 2023-Present
LIVED: Childhood, Vol 1, Issue 3, Fall/Winter 2022, Magazine
grief & loss & love & sex, Toronto, Indigo Press, 2019, Trade Paperback
Midlife on Fire (Anthology), Toronto, Restless Spirit Productions, 2021, Kindle, Trade Paperback
Haiku, Chennai, Arts Illustrated, April 30, 2021 Edition, Magazine
POETRY & STORYTELLING PERFORMANCES
Indigo Presents: National Poetry Month Poetry Panel with Najwa Zebian, Sabrina Benaim, Micheala Angemeer, Megan Gail Coles, Sanna Wani, Jesse Thistle, Bianca Sparacino, and Lara Margaret Marjerrison, Apr 13, 2022
Indigo Presents: In Conversation with Atticus, Lara Margaret Marjerrison, Margaret Atwood, Sabrina Benaim, Tenille K. Campbell, Crowdcast, April 1, 2021
Bodies of Stories, (Zoom) Webcast December 13, 2020
grief & loss & love & sex, Warkworth Arts & Heritage, Warkworth, February 21, 2020
Indigo Presents: In Conversation with Lara Margaret Marjerrison, Sabrina Benaim, Tenille K. Campbell, Crowdcast, February 3, 2020
Meet the Author: Poetry Month, Brockville Public Library, April 27, 2019
grief & loss & love & sex, Poetry Tour, April 24-29, 2019
True Stories (Told Live) Toronto, Toronto Storytelling Festival, March 13, 2019
Raw Storytelling, The Comedy Bar (Cab Room), Toronto, February 27, 2019
What’s On at Indigo, Indigo Bay & Bloor, Toronto, January 28, 2019
grief & loss & love & sex, Self-Pub Launch, The Burdock, Toronto, October 10, 2018
Toronto Poetry Slam, 918 Bathurst, Toronto, August 18, 2018
This is Trophy, BRAVE Festival, Harbourfront, Toronto, July 28-29, 2018
Stories of Ours, Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, July 26, 2018
Voiceover for TDA Global Cycling #200for200 Campaign Promotional Video, June 13, 2017
Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids, The Mansion, Kingston, February 11, 2017
High Stakes Storytelling, The Monarch Tavern, Toronto, March 15, 2016
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
The Women Who Lead Series, Staples Advantage Canada, Mississauga, October 29, 2014
Brockville Ad and Sales, Brockville Country Club, Brockville, May 14, 2014
Power Body Weekend with Susan Sly, Toronto, October 19-21, 2012
SLC Marketing Class of 2012 via Ontario East Economic Development, Kingston, March 14, 2012
VISUAL ART
Installation, Mixed Media, Photography x Encaustic, JINKS Art Factory, Toronto, June 1-30, 2016
WORKSHOPS/TEACHING
Tell Your Story, Storytelling Workshop w/goboomerang, Centre for Social Innovation, Toronto, July 11, 2019
BIBLIOGRAPHY: PRINT MEDIA
Faith Will Be Required, Prosperity Cafe Blog, May 14, 2020
Healing Words, Indigo Inspired Blog, January 29, 2019, (reissue) January 29, 2020
Author Rides Through Grief.., InQuinte, Quinte West, April 15, 2019
Breaking the Pattern: How I Recover, She Does The City Blog, December 18, 2017
BIBLIOGRAHY: RADIO, TELEVISION, DIGITAL MEDIA
Suicide Noted Podcast, August 9, 2021
Global News, CKWS Morning Show, Kingston, April 18, 2019
The Morning Show with Buzz Collins, Rock 107.5 FM, Belleville, April 18, 2019
Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids Podcast, E408, April 9, 2017
The Mike Chalut Show, PROUD FM, February 27, 2013
The Life Story Project, S1 E1: Falling in Love and Broken Hearts, OWN Network, January 3, 2013
The Truth About Teenage Suicide, Documentary Film, Body of Light, 2011
The Mom Show, CityLine CityTV, 2007
EDUCATION
Jessica Blank Character-Based Storytelling, 2020-Present
The Podcasting Workshop, Akimbo, with Seth Godin and Alex DiPalma, 2019
Improv Your Acting Theatre Conservatory, 2018-2019
Black Isle Group (Private) Speaking Coaching, 2014, 2016, 2018
High Stakes Storytelling Intensive, 2017
Jupiter J. Makins Scriptshop, 2013
Liaison College of Culinary Arts, Diploma with Distinction, Chef de Cuisine, 2010
Toronto Image Works Desktop Publishing, Certificate, 2006
Gestalt institute of Toronto, Two-Year Training Program, Certificate, 2006
Office Administration, Diploma with Distinction, St. Lawrence College, 1995
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Writer’s Union of Canada, 2019 to Present
The Firecracker Department, 2019 to Present
Script Reader, Female Voices Rock Film Festival, 2020, 2021, 2022
CONTACT
Thanks for your interest in my work. For review copies of my books or to book installations or interviews, feel free to get in touch and I will get back to you soon! If you're looking to book me, please use the booking forms under "Book Online". Many thanks, L.