An Artist’s Perspective
Maria Maloof is an emerging artist whose work actively engages the viewer, eliciting his or her full consideration. Born in Connecticut, she has called Florida home for most of her life. This Florida girl’s free spirit and sense of adventure took her all over the globe, before finally settling down with her husband, Al, in Miami 15 years ago. Given her need to explore different passions, she enjoyed several careers prior to taking to brush and canvas.
Foremost in her recent endeavors has been Maria’s skillful and successful event planning business. In addition to designing and executing exquisite private events, she has led not-for-profits to achieve much needed results. She since has retired from her efforts to spend full time creating works of art.
Maria credits her talent as a family gift, spanning several generations and numerous family members. Creating beauty and serving others is what she is most passionate about.
Art is an aesthetic perception. It is a personal and unique experience to both the artist and the audience.
Her ability to engage a number of techniques makes her unique in this field. Her journey for each painting depicts a moment, thought, feeling or expression at a certain point in her life, but they may inspire a completely different emotion in the viewer. Therein lies the beauty of her work.
The kaleidoscopic mass of colors ranges from vibrant brilliance, embodying ethereal beauty to darker, more intense tones that almost contrast violently.
To some, it may appear as swirls of color, battling for supremacy on a canvas filled with energetic random appeal, but make no mistake—Maria’s work tends to creep up on you, catching you by surprise.
For any artist, the emotional connection to each piece varies. Her work reflects who she is at any particular moment and that is what captures someone’s interest – they react to what they are seeing and feeling.
Depending on her mood and the expression she wishes to convey, Maria can switch between techniques as easily as you or I change shoes.
For her, it is the ability to utilize several techniques, whether it is a palette knife, sponge or brush—she is comfortable with them all.
Ultimately, the main point for any artist is the ability to express themselves. For her, it is being able to interact with the canvas and channel what she visualizes into something tangible that conveys both complex thought and emotion—something that inspires the viewer to think beyond themselves.
You are forgiven when wondering if her talent was cultivated, or indeed, truly comes across as a unique find. Following the path all but ignored by most artists, Maria wrestled between entering art school or the United States Marine Corp. A twist of fate made it the latter. While serving in Japan, she was enthralled with works of art presented there.
Maria’s art is inspired by travel, fashion, emotion and virtually anything that catches her eye or moves her spiritually.
Jackson Pollock inspired her first large piece. She admired his fearless expression on canvas and realized that art did not have to take on a specific form, that movement and the fluidity of paint could speak on canvas as well.
And while Pollock’s work displays a dominant, masculine aura, Maria’s energy vibrates through each piece, almost haunting you with a delicate, yet fiercely bold beauty, reminiscent of the artist herself.
Art has always captured the complexities of an evolving society.
The idea of capturing and transferring multiple concepts and a vast range of emotions is something that thrills Maria with every piece. She is honored to share her gift with the world.