Maria Esmar: Melodious and Soulful

Hi Maria, thank you for taking the time to talk to us today! First things first, when and how did your career as an artist begin?

My career as an artist started when I was about 22 years of age when I began crafting leather handbags and accessories. It was the most creative thing I could start learning. The bags were very colourful and artsy, many of them where hand painted. After a few years, my circumstances and mentality changed and I decided to move to the UK to jumpstart my artistic career. 

So five years ago, I took a big leap into the unknown and started painting on a blank canvas. This hobby turned into a career after three years when I had finally made the decision to rent a studio space as my house was becoming a small ‘museum’. 

How does your experience as a designer affect your work today?

I truly, whole heartedly believe that if it wasn’t for my designing experience I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have always been creative and never gave up on myself despite all the judgment and rough situations I had to overcome. It all brought me closer to success, happiness and gratitude. Looking back I wouldn’t change one thing. 

Which female artists (living or dead) inspire you the most and why?

Such a hard question as there are so many wonderful female artists. These are my top 3 favourites...

Bobbie Burgers - Dramatic and romantic artworks at the same time, they just melt my heart. 

Joan Mitchell - Her brush strokes and the liveliness of the colour palettes excites my eyes, they look like madness but looking deeper, everything connects and the nonsense makes sense. 

Gabrielle Jones - I admire her artworks the most. It is not to be out down into words the feeling when something takes your mind into another dimension. This is the thing about art, it should just leave you wordless. Stunned. There.

On today's art market, how do you keep reinventing your work to keep it fresh and relevant?

I have purposely chosen different styles of paintings as there is a different me in all of them. I know most artists keep a style or even two but I decided a while ago, to do what I feel and for it is usually something new, I am new every day and still me. Artworks for the artists are like kids to their mothers, they are all equally special.