Artist of the Month - @thepinetorch

Some artists make pretty things. Mari makes portals. As the creative force behind The Pine Torch, she channels motherhood, fearlessness, and unpolished honesty into art that vibrates with life. Her work does not tiptoe around emotion; it charges straight into it, torch held high.

Mari is one of the pure souls who does not just create, she transforms.

29 déc. 2025

Artist Mari Toscas aka The Pine Torch sitting in a room full of art.

Artist of the Month: @thepinetorch

Holographic sticker sheets with pink esoteric pattern and bohemic designs on a dark background

The beautiful, esoteric, holo Thank You card, with a dark humoristic twist.

Mari Turns Motherhood, Darkness, and Raw Truth Into Creative Fire

Mari sees herself as a pathfinder, a seeker, and a creative mother in every sense, birthing ideas as boldly as she raises her children. Becoming a parent, especially to special needs twins, cracked her world open and pushed her to name the parts of motherhood most people avoid. That raw truth became her signature, the heartbeat of her books, oracle decks, and every sensory-rich design she creates.

What sets Mari apart is the way she blends artistry with instinct. She grew up surrounded by women who lived creatively, and that sensory, poetic foundation pulses through her work today. Her designs feel alive, textured, and emotionally charged, as if they carry a frequency only she can tune.

In this interview, we dive into the fire behind her creative journey, the darkness she walks through, and the fierce, unfiltered voice that makes The Pine Torch unmistakably her.

Collection of various colorful die-cut stickers laying on a table, in a spiritual, boho style, printed on glitter, holographic and vinyl.

Colorful die-cut vinyl sticker held with the text "Brighter days ahead" held in front of a wall of art

Spray bottle with a holographic die-cut sticker with the text "Clean The Air", standing on rocks and crystals

January Artist of the Month

StickerApp: Hi Mari, we are so pleased to have you as the first Artist of the Month of 2026. Please tell us about yourself. Who is The Pine Torch?

Mari: Thank you so much, this is fun! I see myself as the embodiment of my brand, The Pine Torch, a pathfinder and storyteller moving between darkness and light. My dream has always been to be a mother, both to children and to ideas, creating art that feels alive and honest. Motherhood, especially raising special needs children, pushed me to tell the raw truths others avoid and to build a sensory, colorful world where my kids feel understood and safe.

Much of that journey, the beauty and the difficulty alike, lives inside my work, from children’s books with autistic protagonists to oracle decks inspired by the depths of motherhood.

StickerApp: Wow, fantastic! When and how did your creative journey begin?

Mari: In the womb. I was raised by generations of women who lived artfully, where cooking, singing, and storytelling were acts of love. That sensory, poetic world shaped me. As a pianist, painter, and poet, I have always chased creativity that lights up all the senses.

Graphic design became the bridge that helped me refine my voice and support my family while raising four children. Motherhood, especially with my twins' autism diagnosis, pushed me to grow, stay consistent, and trust my inner compass. Those lessons became the backbone of my work, including my favorite creations, The Audacity Deck, The Mom Deck, and Remember Your Divinity Deck.

StickerApp: Amazing! Was there a pivotal moment in your career that changed everything?

Mari: I’ve had several pivotal moments, most sparked by having to make big, terrifying decisions fast. About eight years ago, I quit my cubicle job and moved from Chicago to Arizona so my newly diagnosed twins could access better resources. I left everything familiar, lived on a shoestring budget, and relied fully on my fledgling business. That leap broke me out of old expectations and taught me to do whatever my children needed, no matter the cost.

What began with baby onesies has grown into books, oracle decks, and a creative business that has evolved alongside my family. I’ve shed many versions of myself along the way, and each ending brought its own small miracle. If life has taught me anything, it’s that when you choose love and courage, even the impossible finds a way to work out.

StickerApp: So inspiring! What drives you as an artist, and what are your biggest inspirations?

Mari: Other than my children? Fear. I love to follow my fear even though it has taken me to some strange places. Chances are, if I feel the prickle of fear, I’m going in the right direction. When everything is dark, don’t cower. Don’t run. Use the darkness to hone your other senses. Listen to the rustling of your feet. Smell the air. Follow the storm, and charge toward it. Dance in the rain. Ironically, most of my fears in life have come true, and that’s liberating in a way, because my inhibitions don’t exist. Nothing is daunting because it’s never as important as it seems.

Ultimately, we all die: Memento mori. My brand, The Pine Torch, is all about blazing a trail in the darkness, holding a torch, and lighting the way for others.

StickerApp: So great. What is your number one piece of advice for those starting their creative journey?

Mari: Oh, great question! I have a few:

Don’t save yourself. Use the good dishes, take the risk, say the thing. Give your full self to your work.
Be true to your voice. Trends fade, authenticity resonates.
Burn the ships. When something no longer serves you, let it go boldly.
It’s ok to change your mind. Growth brings clarity.
Celebrate small wins. Seeds grow in the dark.
Clean your space. Clearing your environment clears your energy.
Stay curious. Try things you’re not good at, play, experiment, and let creativity surprise you.

StickerApp: Great advice! How would you define your style, and what are your favorite techniques?

Mari: Surreal, macabre, raw, spirit-centered, darkly humorous, and ethereal.

Painting is my favorite technique because it’s so physical. A lot of my art is for private, not for sale, and has a very different aesthetic than what is in my brand. My home art is colorful, abstract, textured, and chaotic. I’ve found that Photoshop helps me refine that raw energy into creations that are more palatable by organizing and constraining my ideas. This lets me create things that can exist in a digital space, or as marketable products, unlike standalone art.

Holographic sticker sheet with a book surrounded by flowers and insects, and an geometric eye design.

Holographic skull design printed on a sticker sheet with the text "Blessed and Stressed" on top of sticker sheets against a dark background.

StickerApp: Tell us about the design of your Thank You card. What was your inspiration?

Mari: I love layering textures and patterns. The esoteric pattern is my main brand pattern design that I use on packaging and poly mailers. The back has a nod to my Grecian heritage with the columns and the general vibe of looking through current reality to a different dimension.

StickerApp: Sweet! What are your favorite sticker materials, and how do you use them for your business and personal brand?

Mari: My go-to is the holographic material. It gives dimension without getting in the way, and makes the designs feel special and shiny! I also love some of the clear stickers for specific designs. Regardless of which artwork I’m using or what project I’m working on, I know StickerApp has the right look and feel to take the project over the top.

I use them as an extension of my designs and oracle/tarot decks. The most popular stickers I sell are from The Audacity Deck – it thrills me to see the stickers on people’s tumblers, planners, computers, etc. Another unexpected use is on my smudge sprays and aura mists. I was able to make some pretty great holographic labels for those that elevate the product and encapsulate exactly what I was going for.

StickerApp: Why do you choose StickerApp as your sticker partner?

Mari: Originally, I was looking into making stickers myself, but we already had three DTG printers, mug presses, and countless other manufacturing tools. Outsourcing the production of the stickers marked a pivotal point in my business where I learned it was OK to separate creativity from manufacturing. I am so hands-on with my business that it is always difficult to trust a manufacturing partner, but I love the consistency, quality, and creative choices that StickerApp offers.

StickerApp: Agreed. What are your goals for the future?

Mari: I don’t think the urge to create will ever go away; it will just take new forms. Right now, I’m learning to trust more and control less. Going with the flow has been a game-changer for me. I’ve learned not to make long-term plans and see what happens next. Instead of waiting to “finally live my life when…” I remember to live on a random Tuesday in ways I never allowed myself to before. Life has surprised me beyond my wildest dreams. I am just walking forward onto the path that unfolds before me, and re-learning how to allow things to breathe and grow on their own timeline.