Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Patino.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m the youngest of a large family of immigrants from Colombia. I’m also the only college graduate in my family. My father was a farmer and my mother were a housewife and a seamstress. My mother was very passionate about learning arts and crafts. We lived in a large house among many family members, chickens, ducks and pigs surrounded by gardens and vegetation. As a child I remember making mud pies and playing in the rain.
At the age of 15 my family and I relocated to the United States. I’ve lived in Texas, New York and Miami. I graduated from School of Visual Arts in New York and me currently live and work in Miami. I work as a full-time art teacher with MDCPS and I have a studio located in the Bird Road Art District where I make and exhibit my artwork.
Among all the things that I do I have a special passion for the process of art making and the healing properties through the process of art making, FL licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Irma Coto and myself facilitate “Painting Within”, a group therapy and art expression held once a month. I love making murals and I received the award of “Rookie Teacher of the Year” at my current school last year for making the difference in beautifying the school building by creating large size murals and painting all the garbage containers and benches.
Please tell us about your art.
I approach my daily life concerns, memories and dreams to find the answers through the process of art making. I constantly sketch, journal, photograph and collect items from my daily environment. I’m interested in the aesthetics of color, texture and form and its potential for communicating a message. I work intuitively, guided current world issues, memories and my imagination.
I draw, investigate, and experiment with mixed media constantly. I don’t have a preferred media since I feel that it’s important to allow each artwork to guide me to its preferred process and materials. I frequently use acrylic paint, aerosol, inks, paper-collage, etc. I also experiment painting on different types of surfaces like wood panels, old discarded books, glass, fabric garments and other found materials and surfaces. I also work on large size murals using aerosol paint.
My artwork engages the viewer on a journey through non-judgmental eyes to explore a world of unpredictable creatures and spaces. I have a special interest in the aesthetics of color, texture and form and its potential to communicate a story. The scenes are full of color, movement and energy, yet you find all the characters in bliss, in a trance of love and acceptance.
Through my artwork I intend to spark intelligent conversations and curiosity among people. I invite the viewers to merge themselves in colors, textures and forms and have their own personal experiences and perception to understand my artwork.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The reality for many of us artists are that we have full time jobs to support ourselves and our families, make art, and manage selling and promoting our work on the side. I believe many artists are challenged to manage their time in the studio while learning new skills in marketing and social media.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can view and buy my artwork by visiting my art studio during the Bird Road Art District Art Walks (held every third Saturday of the Month 7 – 10pm) or by appointment only. People can also see my artwork on line or local galleries and public spaces in Miami. I invite people to follow me on Instagram or Face book to see my current art projects and events.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4714 SW 75th Avenue Miami, FL 33155
- Website: https://www.mariapatinostudio.com
- Phone: 7862120332
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariapatino_studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariapatinostudio/
Image Credit:
Nestor Arenas
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