Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcia Klingensmith.
Hi Marcia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My Story: Coming Home to Art
I’ve always been drawn to houses—quite literally.
As a kid, I loved to sketch old homes in pen and ink. There was something about the lines, the character, the history etched into their porches and gables that fascinated me. That early love led me to study architecture at Syracuse University, but a surprising detour changed my course: one summer, I took a job at a national park and ended up doing scientific illustrations—bug drawings, of all things—for an entomologist. I realized then that what I really loved wasn’t design or structures, but drawing—the quiet, careful craft of seeing and capturing details by hand.
I switched my major to Visual Communications and earned a BFA from Syracuse. This was before digital portfolios—you had to pound the pavement with your art in hand. I was shy, and freelance work felt intimidating, so I eventually found my way into the corporate world. I worked across the country—New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, California—and while I built a career, my art sat quietly on the back burner.
Then came COVID—and a gift from my son. A simple set of watercolors. With nowhere to go and time to reflect, I started painting again. It felt like rediscovering a part of myself I had left behind. When I eventually settled in South Carolina, I committed to pursuing art more seriously. I painted the marshes, the birds, the colors of the Lowcountry—but it was the homes that called me back.
That’s how MK Fine Art Reflections began: a way to honor the places that shape our lives. Today, I create custom pen and ink house portraits with delicate watercolor washes, each one handcrafted on archival paper. My work isn’t mass-produced—it’s personal, emotional, and one-of-a-kind. These pieces have become heartfelt closing gifts for realtors, branding statements for vacation rentals, and heirlooms for families preserving memories of a beloved home.
What started as a childhood love and a pandemic pastime has grown into a business with purpose. I’m now on a mission to help people celebrate the meaningful places in their lives—with art that reflects both heart and home.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Definitely not.
Making a living as an artist is not for the faint of heart. People often admire the end result, but don’t see the costs—financial, emotional, and time-based—that go into every piece. Paint, paper, scans, framing, packaging—it all adds up. Galleries can take 40% or more, and if you want to create prints, you have to front the production and inventory costs yourself. On top of that, pricing your work is a minefield. People say they love what you create, but many hesitate to pay what it’s truly worth. By the time all is said and done, you’re lucky to make minimum wage for a piece you’ve poured your heart into.
That emotional toll is real too—every painting is a part of me. Letting it go, especially for less than it’s worth, has often left me feeling conflicted.
Over the years, I’ve danced between leaning into my art and pulling back. When I moved to South Carolina, I joined the Hilton Head Art League and started selling originals and cards. While I was grateful for the sales, there were limits—volume was restricted, and I didn’t get much feedback or insight to help guide what to create next.
When I was laid off from my corporate job two years ago, I decided to give art another real shot. I invested several thousand dollars in a website through ArtStorefronts and built up a following on Instagram. I poured myself into creating and scanning my work—from national parks to scenes around the world—and waited. But the sales didn’t follow. It was discouraging. Everyone said, “You need to niche down.” But what do you do when your heart is in so many beautiful places?
Then something clicked. I started getting inquiries—first from Airbnb hosts, then real estate agents. They weren’t just looking for art. They were looking for meaningful gifts, emotional branding, a way to turn houses into homes. That’s when I returned to what I’ve loved since I was young: drawing houses.
Ever the optimist, I’m leaning in. I’ve built MK Fine Art Reflections around custom home portraits that are emotional, handcrafted, and one-of-a-kind. It hasn’t been easy, but I finally feel like I’ve found the path where my creativity meets real connection—and that’s worth everything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I Do: Emotional Keepsakes, Not Just Pretty Pictures
I create custom pen and watercolor portraits of meaningful homes—whether it’s a cozy first house, a dream vacation rental, or a historic family estate. Every piece is hand-drawn with meticulous detail and finished with a delicate watercolor wash, using archival-quality materials so the artwork lasts a lifetime.
I specialize in turning ordinary addresses into extraordinary keepsakes. My portraits are often given as luxury closing gifts by real estate agents, used as elevated branding for Airbnb and VRBO hosts, or commissioned by families who want to preserve the memory of a special place.
Each piece is completely original—no prints, no shortcuts. Just time, care, and craftsmanship.
What I’m most proud of is the emotional response my work evokes. I’ve had clients cry when they open their portraits, especially when it captures a place that holds deep sentimental value. That’s when I know I’ve done more than draw a house—I’ve told a story, honored a memory, and created something worth treasuring.
What sets me apart is the intentionality of my process. I’m not mass-producing art. I treat every portrait like it matters—because it does. I also bring a background in design and visual storytelling, so I understand how to balance fine detail with artistic soul. And I genuinely care about the people and places I draw.
In a world full of quick clicks and generic gifts, my work offers something different: slow, meaningful, handcrafted art that people feel in their hearts.
How do you think about luck?
The Role of Luck
I think luck has played a role—but maybe not in the way people imagine.
There’s been hard luck: the kind that comes with layoffs, creative burnout, and pouring your heart (and savings) into a business that doesn’t take off right away. There were times when I questioned if I should give up on art altogether.
But then there’s been grace disguised as luck—like the summer I ended up drawing bugs for a national park entomologist, which unexpectedly rerouted me from architecture to illustration. Or the gift of a watercolor set from my son during COVID, which reignited a creative spark I hadn’t felt in years. Or moving to South Carolina—purely for personal reasons—and stumbling into a community where home, beauty, and belonging matter deeply.
And then, of course, there’s the luck of timing: just when I was wondering if I should walk away from art again, people started asking me to draw their homes. Real estate agents. Airbnb hosts. Friends who wanted to preserve a childhood house. One request became three, then ten—and MK Fine Art Reflections was born.
So yes, there’s been luck. But it’s always been partnered with persistence, openness, and a willingness to start again.
Pricing:
- Petite Elegance (4″x6″) – $100: A charming, small-scale portrait—perfect for gift enclosures or keepsakes.
- Classic Charm (8″x10″) – $300: My most popular size, ideal for framing and display in any space.
- Grand Estate (11″x14″) – $500: A timeless, heirloom-quality piece for showcasing special properties.
- Vacation Rental & Host Packages – Starting at $700: ncludes custom artwork, postcards, and digital use rights to elevate your brand.
- Buy 3, Get 10% Off (Mix & Match): A favorite among real estate professionals and Airbnb hosts for client gifting.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcekmba.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552147567077
