I was born in Portugal and my childhood was spent in S. Africa. As a young woman I moved to Australia with my husband who was offered a job in IT in a company based in Sydney. I am now an Australian and feel so grateful to live in this beautiful country of ours. I grew up in remote country towns and have developed a strong attachment to nature, animals and people. This affinity, and my cultural diversity has influenced my art and is the basis for my striking and colourful paintings. I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to do a full lap of Australia and also 2-half laps. I take many photos and our beautiful landscapes and wildlife inspires my art. I love colour and the harmony of nature, blue skies, emerald beaches, snow lined roads, rainy days and vibrant sunsets all awaken my creativity. I love our Aussie birds and animals and have a particular interest in our beloved kookaburras. We have a few families of kookaburras living in our area and I enjoy studying and painting them. I also like to paint cityscapes, landscapes and portraits. I see beauty everywhere and am constantly on the lookout for new opportunities and ideas. Working in both oils and acrylic paint, I have a bold colour palette, using either a fluid or impasto style, which give my paintings a presence that captures the essence of the subjects and the landscapes and produces a vivid end result.
Achievements:
* I am an emerging artist.
* I have sold a number of paintings over the years.
* Exhibited in galleries in Australia and South Africa.
* As a young single woman, (using my first name Maria and maiden name da Mota) I drew the illustrations in pen and ink for a book;
published and reprinted, titled Ducks, Wild Ducks and Geese for Profit.
* I was recently chosen as a finalist for the SWAP art competition in Ryde.
* My artwork has been used as a showcase for student artists.
* I have exhibited at the Packsaddle and several other exhibitions.
* I have 3 Certificates of Accomplishment from TAFE, NSW for painting.
* I have 1 Certificate of Accomplishment from TAFE, NSW for drawing.
* I have attended various evening classes for both watercolour and oil painting.
* I am currently exploring different methods of expression using a variety of mediums and techniques in my paintings.
* I donate on a regular basis, paintings to the Sunshine Coast Board Meeting Surf Charity which provides equipment to disabled children.
NOTE: I package all my artworks carefully in recycled, 2nd hand cardboards and materials to help save our trees.
I do portraits in oils on request (see my sold section for example)
I do animal portraits in oils on request. (See my sold section for example)
I am happy to take commissions on any subject.