We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Mae | Atelier // Artist + Designer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maria Mae | Atelier // Artist + Designer , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
When I began painting many moons ago, it hadn’t even occurred to me it would evolve into a lifelong passion project, but it was more so something that provided an immense and profound release of intense emotions and self expression.
It was as if my soul was free to begin speaking it’s story and truths into existence. Unspoken thoughts, feelings, experiences, and dreams that had been hidden in dark unseen spaces for far too long.
Something from deep inside was ignited the moment I picked up the paint brush. A passionate exploration of the soul began with each experimental, but bold brushstroke. My life was forever changed through this passionate painting process.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hello! I’m Maria, a multi-disciplinary, passionate, professional full-time fine artist + designer + gallery owner with an interior architectural design and business management background.
My work is deeply inspired by the mysteries, depth, and secrets of the sea, and it’s ever changing stormy to serene skies, and calming coastlines.
A near drowning experience at an early age evoked an innate and fathomless sense of curiosity and wonderment with the depths and darkness of the ocean.
I’ve always been intrigued by the fleeting moments when the ocean’s surface is luminous with sunlight creating
ethereal and atmospheric shimmers of light along the surface.
A common motif found within my abstract expressionist paintings is this profound wonderment with the depth, light, and life found within water.
As a Minnesota native for much of my life; there was no shortage of lakes, streams, and rivers to guide my work, but there was an innate and constant desire to live, breathe, and be near the ocean.
I recently took a life changing leap of faith leaving all that I knew to begin my next creative chapter on the Southwest Gulf of Florida. This has been a transcendent and pivotal point in my journey as both human and artist. I found a sense of peace and fathomless freedom that I didn’t even know existed.
Creating has for many years quieted the storm of my own existence. It silences what tries to diminish, demean, and keep me in its cage. It is my highest expression of freedom and authentic self. Painting provides an escape where I’ve found my own personal quiet beneath the chaos. A haven where my soul speaks freely all of its most meaningful secrets.
My current body of work is a statement series / contemporary coastal collection that will be released mid February as my first Florida solo exhibit. The “Resurgence” Collection (a rising again into the light and life; from the depths of darkness) is a deep exploration of my fathomless fascination and wonderment with water and the mysteries and secrets of the sea.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
It seems fitting to be answering this question given we are entering a new year and season of life. It’s a very reflective time for many of us and for me personally one that prompts much introspection and reflection on my personal and professional life.
As a creative company owner it’s extremely vital for growth, expansion, and profitability to be mindful of what has worked well in the past and what no longer aligns with your future and forward momentum.
I don’t personally believe a formal education in the arts is necessary to becoming an artist, but the business side of becoming a professional creative selling your work is much different. I enrolled in business courses before even considering choosing to become a visual artist as a career and sole source of income, because I knew no matter what field I went into this knowledge would be beneficial at some point in my professional life.
I would say if you’re new to the business side of your creative journey to be very intentional with your time, energy, resources, target audience, marketing, and managing your finances. Some of these lessons are really developed through trial and error and learning as you go.
There are a number of creative and business related courses artists offer either in person or online at reasonable prices, so I’d say to look into those as well if you’re not even sure where to begin, or if you’re exploring turning a side hustle / hobby into a full time creative career. Especially, when it comes to knowing how to price your work, profitability, and financial stability.
When it comes to the creative side, always stay curious. Explore new mediums, surfaces, styles, motifs, and experiment until you find what speaks to your soul and what you connect with first. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, likes, or even buys.
For a very long time I struggled with imposter syndrome because I wasn’t necessarily a “niche” artist. I only knew that I was deeply drawn to nature, and somehow elements of water always emerged through my work. I was always intimated by oil paints until I stared incorporating them slowly into my work. Now there isn’t a single painting that doesn’t have at least a few layers of lovely oil paints.
I started to develop my own personal style and niche by focusing on what seemed to emerge organically and intuitively through my expressive painting process. When I let go of control and trying to force a canvas into becoming what I want it to be and instead let the paint tell it’s own poetic story, something truly magical and beautiful unfolds.
With the implementation of social media platforms as a way to showcase, sell, and tell your own unique story, I’ve found myself learning to be more adaptable, tenacious, and leaning into the lessons I’ve learned over the years now more than ever. Always remember your why and what sets you apart from others in your industry, because that’s what matters most. People can see through a facade and it’s always the best practice to be authentically who you are.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
A creative career isn’t all about creating, contrary to what some might believe. It’s also extremely stressful, exhausting, overwhelming, and can take it’s toll on your physical, emotional, and mental well being – trust me, I learned this the hard way.
Being immersed in nature, whether it’s the woods or water is where I find solace, peace, reflect, digress and develop new ideas. Taking care of myself from the inside out by being mindful of what I’m consuming from foods to social media. Moving my body daily is also essential. I’m a certified yoga teacher and my personal practice is a non-negotiable. I listen to all kinds of music and dance (even by myself), journal, meditate, read, and write.
Listen to your body and intuition. It can be too easy to push ourselves to the point of burnout, but as the expression goes, “you can’t fill from an empty cup.” If you find you’re trying to force and idea, project, or painting; take a beat and come back to it with a fresh new perspective. Trust me, a few paintings have ended up in the trash when I was simply depleted and tried to turn nothing into something.
Contact Info:
- Website: mariamaeatelier.com
- Instagram: mariamae_atelier
- Facebook: Maria Mae Atelier
