Artist Interview with Maria Greene

It’s so fun and interesting to get to know other kindred spirits. I’ve had the joy of interviewing fellow artist, Maria Greene. We are both contributors to the beautiful new book, Warrior Soul. Maria has shared more about her creative process, including tips for artists, along with a glimpse into her world. She’s also recommended some favorite books which I’m looking forward to checking out! Enjoy. 🙂

1. How did you get into art in the first place? How long have you known you wanted to be an artist?

When I was seven I got into paper dolls and used to make clothes for them. I really liked designing outfits and then cutting them out. I had a whole shoe box full that I used to bring out and play with endlessly. I liked coloring books and anything related to art. My mom was always very creative. She sewed, knitted, crocheted, and she knew how to weave on a big loom. I think my dad had a lot of talent but never did anything with it.

Then the reading bug bit me, and I read fiction books every day. They fired up my imagination. My mom always said I had a wild imagination.

I have always loved art, and it has followed me through life as a red thread, BUT I ended up becoming a fiction writer for eighteen years. Reading and writing have always been high up there on my “love list,” and I still write.

I pursued spirituality for many years alongside the writing and I found a book by Michele Cassou ZERO POINT,creativity without limits. She also wrote LIFE, PAINT, and PASSION. Both excellent books that got me onto the path of painting intuitively.

Nowadays, intuitive painting is a widespread loved practice by many artists. Another book that inspired me was PAINTING FROM THE SOURCE by Aviva Gold. Oldies but goodies!

I have run the gamut of styles. I have been into portrait painting, folk art, whimsical art, abstracts, art journaling, but most of all I love intuitive painting. In 2003 I decided to pursue art in earnest. I sold paintings on ebay for a while and set up an etsy shop.

2. What are your favorite tools to use and surface to work on?

Brushes, paint, and my hands too, on canvas. Using the hands you get an intimate feel of the paint. I also make polymer clay mosaic tiles that I paint and put on mirror frames and wooden boxes.I call them intention boxes. You write down your intention and put them in the “magic” box.

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Art journaling is up there on my scale of great fun. I do a lot of it, and mixed media art. I use a minimum of 98lbs paper for mixed media so it will hold up well to water and medium. Mixed media journals can be purchased online or at Michael’s or JoAnn’s. To embellish my art I use a lot of paper, found or purchased. I also recycle pretty pictures, textures, and newsprint. I have an assortment of old music scores I found at an antique shop. Old paper helps to make the art look aged. I kind of like the old grungy look. Art journals are a great place to experiment and try new techniques.

In mixed media I use a lot of different tools like painter’s pens, permanent markers, washi tape, permanent ink and rubber stamps, a variety of marking tools and stencils. Get creative and try grocery packaging for stenciling. There are no rules in art journaling, and I love that aspect. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of colorful doodling, starting out with no plan in my journal.

3. Where to do you see your art evolving?

I’m currently working on online art classes, and I make lots of how-to videos, mostly about art journaling since creating a painting can take a long time. I love the art groups on Facebook. Endless inspiration to be found there! I’m doing a guest post tutorial at the Create Mixed Media online site. It should be available December 8. Below is the picture of the project we’ll be making.

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As far as further evolution, I can’t wait to see where my art takes me! It is an endless exploration, and I never get bored.

4. Who is (are) your fave artist(s) and why?

I would have to say I admire all the current intuitive painters, Flora Bowley, Tracy Verdugo, and Alena Hennessy, among many others. I have many friends who are great artists if not super well known in the art circles. The main idea here is to have fun, not worry about fame and fortune.

5. What are some suggestions and inspiration you can give to artists just starting out expressing themselves?

Explore. Don’t worry about the look or outcome of the art piece; feel your own energy in it and go with that. Let the art lead you. Even if you judge it as “ugly,” you’re on your way. You can’t go wrong, and try not to judge your art or compare yourself to others. It’s okay to copy others to learn a technique, but don’t become “them.” A style emerges by staying true to yourself. Make art every day even if it’s only for ten minutes.

6. We are currently both contributing artists to the new book, Warrior Soul:a Journal to Inspire Your Fiercely Alive Whole Self with Laura Probert. It is currently available on Amazon. Would you please share a bit about your contribution to this offering?

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Laura Probert has gathered a bunch of talented artists and poets and created a gorgeous journal that contains art and poetry to inspire the reader to add their own art and writing. To me, a warrior soul is someone who stays true to herself and doesn’t compromise. This whole world is about compromises, so anyone who dares to stand up and be fiercely true is a rarity. So, I honor anyone who honors themselves and embraces their whole alive self. That is what living fully means. Why settle for less?

I contributed four pieces of art to the journal, and the one below is LISTEN WITHIN, a mixed media. Inside is where everything is happening, right? Living well is an inside job.