MARIA WILEY’S INTERNAL LANDSCAPES!
I started painting in 2006.
At the age of 48, I feel like a toddler taking her first tentative steps when it comes to art … I’ve come into this so late in life and yet it’s made me feel young again … like I am embarking on a beautiful but challenging journey … an epic adventure! I hope a long one at that!
I was born in Buenos Aires to Hungarian parents. My parents left Hungary … my Mother just prior to, and my Father during the 1956 Russian invasion of their country. They left Argentina (when job prospects diminished) for a new life in the lucky country, Australia. I view my parents as brave adventurers … leaving behind two cultur
es, two languages to live in a third one … and learning a third language all as adults with a six year old child! I don’t know how they did it … I’m certain I couldn’t be that brave. I am very grateful that they did.
I loved to draw as a child. I harboured ambitions to go to art school and become a commercial artist however when I left school financial constraints took me in the direction of a very stable office job. From there my life took me in the direction of marriage and child rearing … I placed my full focus and energy on raising three beautiful children. I have had a beautiful and blessed life with no regrets.
So here I am …. picking up that long lost thread again. Actually … more like I’ve dived head first into the deep end … I’ve been to lots of workshops, had two solo exhibitions, self published a book of my work, learned how to create videos and how to create several online profiles and started teaching workshops locally … all in the space of four years!
I think the loud clicking of my biological ‘creative’ clock has had something to do with it!!!
MARIA WILEY, welcome and thank you for participating in this project. You are a very talented artist with the qualities of a leader. Without further ado, let’s get to the heart of the matter!
No. 1) What is art to and for you? (generally, personally)
I like the words of German writer Jean Paul Richter when he says ‘art is indeed not the bread … but the wine of life’. It is something that not only gives us all pleasure visually, but it can be thought provoking even confronting sometimes… it can communicate to us on so many different levels … it can affect the way we feel and it can influence the way we think. Art is a powerful tool that has been used by leaders through out history. What is art to me personally? Initially when I picked up my first paint brush 4 years ago, it was about travelling back to when I was seventeen and picking up a thread I had discarded … it was about finding young Maria again! The more I learn though, the deeper I get into it … the more I’m finding that it is a way for me to connect with my spiritual self …something I neglected over the years and something which I haven’t been able to find through religion. I don’t feel quite so alone when I’m painting, even though it is most of the time a solitary exercise … does that make sense? Probably only to another artist!
No. 2) What inspires you?
Experiences, my environment, emotions … all of them either linked to, enhanced or triggered by music … most of the time I have music playing. Lyrics to songs will inspire me … the tempo or mood of the music also. Working with abstracts in a purely intuitive way I think lends itself to this. Often times it is not until I start that I get inspired … once I’m into it and when things are going well, it’s the mere thought of creating something interesting that inspires me to keep going … that bubble of excitement … it’s addictive!!!
No. 3) When you are painting, creating, where does it take you? 
Where does your mind (spirit) travel?
I am usually so focused on the creating … on the problem solving … my energy is absorbed into the painting … I become the painting … my mind and spirit work together … I will notice that working on more than one at a time my mind will jump from one to the next … something I resolve on one will be like a stepping stone to the other. I’ll note this and it amazes me sometimes how the mind works … I don’t know if it’s me doing it sometimes or am I being guided? It makes me feel good to think that perhaps I’m not just floundering on my own!
No. 4) Do you think visual art, music and health are related and if so, how?
Yes of course! Music and art are essential to everyone’s well being. Humans are all creative beings … and we are all spiritual beings. We don’t just need to nurture and maintain our bodies but our minds and our souls as well. Music and art are the vehicles that transport us to a higher place, in fact, all creative pursuits be it visual art, performing arts, music, poetry, writing … are all interconnecting rooms … that’s how I see it.
No. 5) How do you feel when you are painting?
I feel many things when I’m in the process of creating … a wide spectrum of emotions ranging from contentment and excitement, a certain ‘rush’ to 
sheer fear and pure frustration and anything in between … I can be ‘up’ one minute, elated when things are going well and then I can plummet right down again when things are going not so well… it can be a real roller coaster ride … and then sometimes a lovely feeling of peace can envelop me… I think it’s in the nature of creating and risk taking that you will experience such a mixed bag of emotions … I feel it’s necessary to push yourself and push your work, mix things up, try new things … otherwise if it’s just too easy and ‘content’ it will eventually become boring to you.
No. 6) Under what conditions do you work best?
I like working on my own … usually in the afternoons and into the late evenings … without outside interruptions if possible and listening to music on my ipod … in a cool and comfortable studio environment.
No. 7) Do you identify with your subject and if so, on what level?
My abstract work is more like a self portrait … my internal landscape … that was the title of my last solo exhibition in which I showcased a body of work I’d completed in 2009 “Internal Landscapes … exploring the Intuitive” so I guess thus far my subject has been to explore and learn about myself through art.
No. 8) Does painting help you connect with your higher self, whatever that is for you? 
Yes most definitely I’m learning more about myself through my art …
No. 9) How do you feel about creativity in the public school systems?
I don’t think it’s encouraged enough … everyone has to conform and do things the same way … they all talk about how people learn in different ways and they say they are encouraging this but I think it’s only lip service … it’s easier for them to teach and grade children the same way … I think it’s only when you’ve left the system behind that you can explore your own creativity fully … if it hasn’t been totally quashed by that time, I know that sounds negative. However, life doesn’t end when schooling ends so there IS hope … I want to finish off on a positive note!
No. 10) In your opinion, what could be a simple solution to improve creativity in the public school systems?
A simple solution? Well as I am an artist I would naturally have to say … make art and using the right side of the brain more of a priority! Oh … and 
encourage kids to NOT colour in within the lines!
Maria, thank you for sharing your thoughts, your feelings and your amazing talent with us in this fascinating insightful article. I has been a pleasure working with you and I wish you well in all your endeavours. Until our paths cross again, be blessed!
TO THE READER :
Please visit Maria’s link to find out more about her and her wonderful art. Your comments are always appreciated. Thank you and enjoy!
Website: www.mariawiley.com
Blog: http://mariasart.blogspot.com/
Prints: http://www.redbubble.com/people/mariawiley
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Wiley-Mixed-Media-Artist/84953427307
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Comments
Your art is complex and intriguing. I especially love Sweet Dreams 2. Enjoyed reading your article and learning how you have had the courage to embrace a talent too long buried. That said sometimes our children are the most beautiful canvas of all. Thank you for being so open and sharing.
.-= Cecelia Gay´s last blog ..Forever Mine =-.
Thanks so much Cecelia! Yes indeed couldn’t agree with you more … my family will always be my finest achievement 🙂 There is a time for everything and perhaps this is my time to follow a long forgotten dream 🙂 cheers, Maria
You are much prettier than that photo.
I just love the painting with question 6!
It was a joy to watch you work!
Lee
.-= L Hynes´s last blog ..My Gallery =-.
Thanks Lee 🙂 You’re very kind! Yes … one of my quieter ones … thank you friend 🙂
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