serenadance

I was born in Ireland and came to Bristol in 1997 to take a fine art degree. At the completion of my study I became pregnant and had a son who is autistic. I found having to care for my son’s special needs left me reeling for a while even though he is a bundle of joy; his needs have taught me never to take anything for granted. We both enjoy many hours of painting and he likes to be included in my work, he even drew a picture on the back of one of my paintings when he was very young so he has left his mark and he is very happy with that.

I started adding fashion in to my paintings a couple of year ago; I took a diploma in fashion and design and came back to my paintings and it grew from there. I never know what I am going to paint - it is usually subconscious, I start the work and it takes on a life of its own. It is always done instinctively, I always struggle half way through the work and the challenge is to get to the other side of it. I am constantly surprised when it’s done to me it’s a bit like giving birth; a painting isn’t finished till I love it.

Although I use a mixture of painting media including acrylics, I love working in oils which remain my favourite. In many of these paintings I have combined my love of painting with oils and my love of fashion. I use anything I find; I am a bit of a magpie. I search all the time for things to use in my work and so does my son who constantly comes home with things he finds on his travels to help in my work. I have noticed that I have become more elaborate recently, experimenting with textile and jewels more and more. I learn something new every day.

I am very excited about my work considering where it will take me next. I hope you enjoy it too and can get a sense of the love and joy that has gone into this work.”

my subject matter is typically a strong-featured woman, often with a fairy or fantasy theme. My pictures start with traditional painting materials – oil or acrylic paints – but during the creative process further elements are added to produce a combination of painting and collage. Fabrics and jewellery pieces are fixed to the picture to add depth and contrast to the overall image; the final piece being a unique three-dimensional mixed-media creation.


please visit my website tessellata.co.uk

I can be contacted at maria@tessellata.co.uk

I also has her own web site with more of my artwork here: www.paintingsilove.com/artist/…