Maria Flores is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans across various mediums including fabric, paint and digital art. Her work exhibits brilliant colours and bold shapes which echo her cultural roots and offer a connection to the spiritual. Images of hands and eyes can often be found throughout her work, symbols which act as blessings and protection.
I have always stayed fluid with my art, I have explored many disciplines and creative forms but what I know is I always follow my connection to my cultural roots. I was born in El Salvador but raised in Australia, so this in between feeling informs my artistic presence.
When did you decide you wanted to be an artist?
I don’t think I decided, it just came to me…this brings me peace and joy and it’s what every cell of my body wants to do so I guess the decision was more like a direction, it just happened.
Tell us a bit about your journey that led you to the work you do now.
I’m still on that journey, I’m still navigating through it all to lead me on different paths of my work. I have always stayed fluid with my art, I have explored many disciplines and creative forms but what I know is I always follow my connection to my cultural roots. I was born in El Salvador but raised in Australia, so this in between feeling informs my artistic presence.
Pictured below, a collaboration between Slow fashion Label Little Tienda and Maria’s brilliant and bold pattern work.
Your work is wonderfully bold and vibrant. Tell us about your relationship to colour and the colour pallets in your work.
It’s the Latina in me, it’s like salsa…I feel colour. I like experimenting with different colour tones and mix and match colours that aren’t usually paired together, lilac and brown, green and pink, blue and coral…it’s all so good. I work intuitively and I choose what feels right for the piece. I set high intentions and positive energy on my art and it just gives back bold and vibrant vibes back.
Where is your studio based?
I have a beautiful light filled space at home at the moment, but I have a dream to practice in a studio up high with a big arched window with nothing but sky and trees in sight, (I can dream). My space influences the way I work and think, I have rituals to begin a new project; I organise, declutter, and I burn palo santo around my table and I set up an offering to my guides. I believe that a studio space is an extension of your work, I am a bit messy when I’m in work mode and I like working alone with my favourite playlist on repeat.
What inspires the work you do?
I’m inspired by my cultures, traditions and rituals, the spontaneous gifts of nature and all the love around me.
What is something you hope to communicate with your work?
I want my work to speak to the viewer, speak a language that strongly connects them to the piece… a message with a positive dialogue, culture insight and with charged protective energy.
What upcoming projects are you most excited about right now?
I’m so excited about what’s coming, I can’t stop smiling! I’m rebranding, re-doing website, releasing new artwork, textiles and more. I’ve just released the first of four bandana designs, inspired by nostalgic memories and gratitude rituals and I really hope that people love them.
To view Maria Flores’s vibrant works, visit sayhola.bigcartel.com or her instagram @say_hola