About Maria Morales

Artist Statement

After many years of working traditionally in a realistic style using oil on canvas and wood, I have transitioned to abstract painting. Creating abstract work has allowed me more freedom and opportunity to showcase feelings, intuition, ideas, and individual expression. Transitioning to abstract work has been

challenging and exciting and taken a lot of determination and hard work to reach the point of finally being happy with the work I am creating.

2020 and 2021 have been very challenging years for the US and the world. It prompted many people to re-assess their role in life and what changes needed to be made, the pandemic changed a lot of our

thinking. This current work is the “Emergence” series, it is what emerged this year with doing things differently and going for it. I am feeling the joy of expressing what I like and letting the colors and shapes run free.

My work is mixed media using acrylic, collage, and a variety of mark-making tools. Predominately working on 12” x 12” cradled wood panels, the artwork is comprised of multiple layers of paint, marks, collage, drawing, and textures. Color, values, composition, and shapes are very important and are used to add interest to work. The 12” x 12” paintings can be displayed in any orientation the viewer likes.

Education

Willngboro Art Association, NJ

2019 – present, Workshops, Presentations

Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2014          Life Drawing, Mixed Material Sculpture

Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts, Burlington, NJ

2010   Artistic Anatomy

American Woodcarving School, Wayne, NJ

2003 – 2004 Life Sculpture Class

Multimedia Certification Program, New York, NY

1996

Quality Graphics Corp., Roselle, NJ

1988          Lithographic Technology Course

Suffolk County Comm College, Brentwood, NY

1984     Drawing Classes

Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

1982    BFA – Illustration

New Brunswick Art Salon 2021 Fall Watercolor and Mixed Media Exhibition

Exhibitions

2021

  • 2021 WAA Summer Open Show, Smithville Annex Gallery, Eastampton, NJ (Honorable Mention Award)
  • 2021 Members Exhibition, Medford Arts Center, Medford NJ (First Place and Honorable Mention Awards)
  • Just Faces Juried Exhibition, Medford Arts Center, Medford NJ (First Place Award)
  • WAA Plein Air Competition and Workers House Gallery Show, Eastampton, NJ
  • Art Blooms 2021, Croft Farms Arts Center, Cherry Hill, NJ (Honorable Mention)
  • Art of the Flower, Medford Arts Center, Medford NJ (Third Place Award)
  • Works on Paper, Medford Arts Center, Medford NJ (Honorable Mention)

2020

  • Embracing Our Differences, 17th Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit, Sarasota, FL
  • Access And Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion Pollak Gallery, Monmouth University, NJ
  • S(H)e Persisted Exhibition, See.Me, NYC
  • WAA Members Show, Moorestown Library, NJ
  • 2020 Great Outdoors Juried Exhibition, Medford Arts Center, NJ

2014 – Present

  • Saatchi Online Gallery

2013

  • The Story of the Creative Exhibition, NYC, NY

2012

  • Catapult Magazine, Issue #16, December
  • Parallax Art Fair, NY, NY, Curator, Dr. Chris Barlow
  • Art Blooms, Croft Farms Arts Center, Cherry Hill, NJ

2010

  • The Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE
  • Art Blooms, Croft Farms Arts Center, Cherry Hill, NJ

2008

  • JAG Fine Art Gallery, Lambertville, NJ