When Marlis Dsouza had her first art exhibition in high school as part of her IGCSE requirements, she didn’t know that moment would plant the seed for her future. Over three years, she created her first body of work and experienced the joy of sharing her creativity with the world. That experience became the spark that shaped her identity, even as life led her in a completely different direction.
After school, Marlis pursued a career in STEM, earning a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics and a master’s in Systems Engineering. Yet, through the technical lessons, deadlines, and analytical mindset, art never left her side. It was her quiet companion, a hobby that kept her grounded, fulfilled, and expressive.
“Art is how I process life.,” she says. “It’s my language, my therapy, and my way of connecting with others.”
The Call of Creativity
Even while excelling in engineering, Marlis couldn’t ignore her deep love for self-expression. She painted, wrote, and taught art workshops on the side. Every creative act gave her the same spark of excitement she felt during that first exhibition.
“My love and obsession with self-expression kept bringing me back to art”
Over time, Marlis began to blend her artistic and reflective sides. She developed a unique approach to painting, transforming her personal journal writings into visual art. Her creative process became a bridge between her inner thoughts and the outer world.
Discovering Her Signature Style
Marlis describes her biggest achievement so far as discovering her signature style: creating visual art collections inspired by her journal writing. ‘Bringing my deeply personal experiences and reflections on the human experience to life through painting and spoken word feels like a superpower,’ she says. ‘I never imagined that the kid who loved to paint would reach this moment.’
This realization marked a turning point. It wasn’t just about producing beautiful artwork, it was about authentic storytelling. Marlis art now stands as a reflection of vulnerability, strength, and emotional truth.
The Leap of Faith
In 2022, Marlis made one of the boldest decisions of her life when she left her engineering job to become a full-time artist. For years, she had balanced art with her professional career, hosting workshops, doing temporary tattoos, and exhibiting her work whenever she could. But she wanted more than just balance, she wanted freedom.
“I wanted to see what life could look like if I pursued my passion fully,” she explains. “I wanted to build a creative career where I wouldn’t have to answer to anyone else, where the glass ceiling could finally be shattered.”
The transition wasn’t easy. The biggest challenge she faced, and still faces, is creating consistent income. Like many creative entrepreneurs, Marlis had to learn to balance her passion with business strategy.
Yet, she persevered. Since taking that leap, she has exhibited and shipped her art to collectors around the world, hosted workshops and open studios in Dubai, collaborated with brands, and even created an online courses to teach her fluid art techniques to global learners.
Building a Creative Ecosystem
Marlis journey isn’t just about personal success, it’s about building a sustainable creative ecosystem. She understands the struggles of artists trying to turn their passion into a profession, and she’s committed to creating solutions for them.
One of her latest projects is launching a merchandise line featuring her artwork. The collection includes hats, tees, totes, dresses, and skirts, wearable pieces that make art accessible to everyone.
“Not everyone can buy an original painting,” she explains. “But through merch, people can still own and experience a part of my art. It’s about making creativity fun, usable, and part of everyday life.”
This approach also supports her long-term goal of building sustainable income streams that don’t depend entirely on producing new original pieces. Alongside her online art courses, the merchandise line allows her to reach more people while empowering other creatives to see that art can exist beyond gallery walls.
Lessons from the Journey
If there’s one lesson Marlis has learned, it’s that you’ll never feel completely ready. Growth, she believes, requires risk, failure, and discomfort.
“You’re never going to be 100 percent ready,” she says. “You just have to take the risk and move through your fears. Without risks and uncomfortable moments, there’s no growth.”
Her message is clear: stop waiting for perfection. “Perfectionism is just fear in disguise, fear of embarrassment, failure, and judgment. Don’t let that stop you. We’re all figuring it out as we go.”
She also believes in the power of authenticity. By sharing her vulnerabilities and truths, she’s connected with audiences far more deeply than through any polished image.
“People crave honesty. When you show up as yourself, the right people will see you. It’s lighter, freer, and more sustainable because the easiest thing you can do is be authentically you.”
Redefining the Art World
Marlis isn’t just painting for herself, she’s on a mission to change how people view art. She wants to challenge the idea that art is only for the elite or the privileged few.
“I want art to be accessible because we all need it,” she says.She also wants to inspire creators to take ownership of making, marketing, and selling their own art, rather than leaving it to entities like galleries. “I also want to make the industry more sustainable for creators, helping them see that they hold the power in their own creations instead of giving it away to gatekeepers,” Marlis explains.
The Legacy She Hopes to Leave
When asked what she wants to be remembered for, Marlis answer is simple yet powerful.
“I’d love to be remembered as the artist who spoke her truth fearlessly, who made brave and emotionally charged art and helped others build fulfilled, sustainable lives around their creativity.”
For her, success isn’t measured in fame or fortune but in impact, the quiet, lasting influence her story may have on others. “If my story reminds even one person that their truth is powerful and worth sharing, that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.”
A Message to Dreamers
To anyone afraid to start, Marlis offers words of encouragement: “Don’t shrink to make others comfortable. Don’t dim your shine. Your voice and your vision are needed exactly as they are.”
Her journey from engineer to artist proves that the safest path isn’t always the most fulfilling one. Sometimes, it takes courage to listen to your creative voice, the one that’s been whispering all along, and finally say yes.
Marlis Dsouza’s story is a reminder that art isn’t just something you hang on a wall. it’s a living expression of courage, connection,, and authenticity, a journey of finding your voice and daring to share it with the world.
Do follow her on Instagram
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