NEW FIRES

Born into the country life of rural Peru, nature has been her lifelong companion and inspiration. Maria Luisa feels an unspoken connection to the natural forms around her and has always looked upon them as the catalyst of her art. Also stemming from her childhood was her innate skill for design; Mari knew she wanted to be a graphic designer by the time she was 12 years old. Following the completion of her bachelor’s degree at Instituto Montemar, she emigrated to the United States for her master’s in graphic design at the Art Institute of Miami and went on to make her own successful company, formerly known as Giupa Creative Group. 

 After almost 25 years as an accomplished graphic designer, she decided to follow her passion and become a full-time artist. She explains that when she paints, she feels completely free to express her true artistic identity, no longer confined by the perfection demanded by graphic design. Maria Luisa calls herself a “sculpture-istic” painter as her paintings tend to build up from the canvas as if they were in 3D. Mari loves to imitate the textures of small roots, treetops, blurred landscapes, and formations of rocky surfaces using unconventional materials. She explains that each painting is has its own identity, its own emotions. “I want to create tactile art that encourages people to run their fingers atop the canvas and feel these emotions for themselves.”

Artist statement: 

“I have this connection with nature that I can’t explain; my art is an attempt to do so. It’s important for me that people experience my journey with each painting because I want them to feel what I feel. So, I tend to use many textures, almost to encourage people to reach out and touch every piece.”

I would definitely call my art an attempt to "contextualize" emotions. I want people to literally touch my art and the creative process behind every piece whether its running their hands over eccentric textures or simply looking at it from distance, I want people to really feel their own emotions and not be discouraged to do so. I love experimenting and discovering new techniques to implement my work which many times I discover during this overwhelming yet beautiful rush I get when I'm painting.

​My goal in pursuing and producing art is to provide, for myself and others, an outlet in which to confide all unique thoughts and feelings about life. My vision is to share my paintings with the world so I can show others how beautiful life is when you get lost in your emotions.