Artist Statement
This work is the first in a three-part series on womanhood, and is a tribute to motherhood, the womb, the love a woman develops for her children and the bond of family. This impressionist abstract painting uses the Elephant, as it is known for its tight family bond, loyalty and protectiveness. The colors used for this were specifically chosen in shades of purple and pink for the association of power, wisdom, devotion and pride that comes with motherhood.
Artist Bio
Maria is a self-taught expressionist abstract artist pulling influences from Georgia O'Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Paul Cézanne. She has attended some workshops with Eric McRay at Raleigh's C-MAC to improve her technique and skills. She has an MS in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and spends her time volunteering with several non profit organizations in the Triangle Area. Maria is the Lead Outreach Liaison for Art for All-NC which focuses on making art accessible to all communities despite means. Maria's art work focuses on mental health awareness through a variety of works that use cubistic, impressionist and expressionist styles. Maria's work has been exhibited at Maria V. Howard Art Center’s Juried Art Competition 2023, Art Gallery of Moore County 2023 Fine Arts Festival, VAE Arts Organization Raleigh, Casa Azul of Greensboro Latitudes of Afro Latinx Art 2023. Maria’s medium of choice is acrylic, spray paint, coarse texture paints and charcoal.