My Creative Hero: Mae Martin

When it comes to 'wearing many hats,' Deanna is no exception. A senior art director and creative lead on key accounts, Deanna is an all-around artistic powerhouse. Not to mention a lifelong learner. Following careers in art education, jewellery design, river guiding, and art direction, they went on to pursue their Masters from Georgetown University. Whether developing DEI initiatives or leading design thinking workshops, Deanna’s talents are endless. They have a nose for strategy. They are exceptional at user experience. They can illustrate and animate. Just when you can’t imagine Deanna mastering any more skills, they will surprise you with a backside 360. On roller-skates. On a ramp they designed and constructed. With their dog Wilson in their backpack. But what we love most about Deanna is that they are one of the kindest, most positive forces on our team. If you get the chance to work with them, you can rest assured they gives 110% to every single opportunity.

LBB> Who would you say is your creative hero? 

Deanna> Comedian, actor, and writer Mae Martin

LBB> How long has this person been important to you and what are your first memories of meeting them or coming across their work?

Deanna> As frustrating as this is, I cannot pin the exact moment Mae Martin entered my consciousness. Years ago, I started to grapple with my gender identity — presenting primarily feminine my whole life felt ingenuine to who I was and I craved guidance in navigating a world built around the gender binary. Slowly, I discovered queer and gender nonconforming creators that paved a path I was able to stumble down. Along the way, Mae Martin marked a significant milestone. Maybe it was an Instagram post a friend had shared or a clip on TikTok as I aimlessly scrolled on my for you page, but Mae’s earnestness and candour about the messiness of life and identity captured my attention. On top of it all, they’re funny as hell. 

LBB> If it’s someone you personally know, how did you get to know them and how has your relationship evolved over the years? If you don’t know this person, how did you go about finding to learn more about them and their work?

Deanna> Mae’s point of view knows no bounds. From their show on Netflix, Feel Good, their stand-up specials, to their podcasts, Mae tells deeply personal and specific stories, almost honest to a fault. Their experiences are unique, yet wildly relatable. They don’t hide an ounce of who they are, and I have been hooked on their journey, consuming anything they create. I’ve seen their shows multiple times, listened to their podcast Handsome (created alongside comedy icons Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster) religiously, and am excited to continue discovering their work as they create.

LBB> Why is the person such an inspiration to you? 

Deanna> Honesty, humour, and specificity serve as cornerstones to great creativity. Mae is a comedic alchemist in utilising these elements to create work that stands apart. They don’t hold back, earnestly sharing their full self in a way that affirms all people’s existence. They deftly explore serious topics such as addiction, shame, sexuality, and identity all while making me laugh along the way. On top of it all, they’re an activist for trans rights and have helped me learn so much about my own identity as a nonbinary person.

LBB> How does this person influence you in your approach to your creative work? 

Deanna> There’s so much importance placed on seeking creative sparks from audience insights and research - aligning creative work with a solid strategy. I believe in this approach so strongly, to the point where I sometimes get lost in my own creative process. Mae inspires me to go a step further, look within myself, and tap into my own point of view when creating. Also, they remind me to not take anything too seriously - always have a sense of humour.

LBB> What piece or pieces of this person’s work do you keep coming back to and why?

Deanna> Their show, Feel Good. It toes the line between deeply sad and wildly hilarious perfectly. I have never related to a character as strongly as I relate to Mae in that show, and we have nothing in common outside of not conforming to the gender binary. It’s brilliant.