My name is Maria Arias. I was born in Venezuela, and I started painting at the age of eight. Due to my school’s rigid schedule, I ceased painting at the age of 12. I pursued engineering studies and graduated in 2003. The following year, I moved to France, fleeing from my country’s chaos and leaving everything behind. I arrived in France with nothing, not even the knowledge of the French language. I completed my master’s degree and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry. In 2007, I relocated to the Netherlands, where I finally felt at home again. I work four days a week as a Chemical Engineer and almost three days as an artist. I resumed painting in 2016. Additionally, I began with an introductory acrylic course at Colorato.com. Afterward, I continued to learn independently for a while. I attended several workshops and masterclasses with various artists. My favorite teacher is Marissa Oosterlee.

I spend four days a week working as an engineer, and the remainder of my time is dedicated to painting. Painting is not just a hobby for me; it’s an integral part of my life. Without it, I would feel incomplete and irritable. The act of painting brings me immense joy and fulfillment. There’s something truly rewarding about seeing the happiness it brings to others when they receive one of my paintings. I’ve never experienced such deep satisfaction from any other endeavor. Painting is profound and beautiful in ways that are difficult to put into words.

I prefer to employ confident strokes when painting, drawing inspiration from the inherent chaos found in nature. I aim to capture this chaos in the intricate details of my artwork, particularly when depicting the fur of animals. Additionally, I am deeply appreciative of my friends, who serve as a constant wellspring of inspiration for me. With each new painting, I strive to push my boundaries, continuously challenging myself while embracing opportunities for learning and experimenting with fresh techniques and materials.

As an artist