Interview with Maritza Bernal
Maritza Bernal, was born in Bogota, Colombia. At an early age she excelled in drawing, painting, and other art skills. Her talent has been cultivated with patienceand dedication through decades. Her studies in oil on canvas began in Bogotá, while working as an Occupational Therapist.
When she moved to the United States, she entirely devoted to explore different styles of painting. She focused on oil on canvas and after that, she became actively involved in numerous exhibitions in Argentina, Ireland, Dublin, Dubai, Beijing, Colombia, U.S.A, Zurich , among others.
She has been accredited since 2010 as a professional artist AICOA. Barcelona. Spain.
The delicacy of her work and the perfect handling of colors and shades, creates beauty and elegant art. Under the influence of visual experiences from her native Colombia, Maritza takes the color in its fullest expression, to create vibrant paintings.
In her work one can see different themes, including landscapes, city escapes, miniatures, still life, doors, flowers, animals, abstract painting, and her speciality, the figurative realism style.
You can see in such a variety of painting styles the emphasis placed to colors and shapes, with which she maintains a constant compromise always searching harmony and integrity in her work.
Can you tell us about the moment you decided to pursue a career as an artist?
I graduated as an Occupational Therapist, and also have a postgraduate degree in Business Management. I had the opportunity to exercise my profession as a manager of a medical center in Bogotá, Colombia. However, from a very young age I carried out activities that enriched my artistic side. So, I investigated, took classes, courses, saw videos, red books, etc. all about painting, because I consider that the artist is done daily, in a constant process of growth, innovation and improvement. In 1998 I came to the US, at which time I decided to dedicate myself fully to painting, with the support of my husband and my family.. Few years later, I was certified as a Professional Artist by Aicoa-Spain and started to have some recognitions in my country and, mostly, overseas.
What kind of artist do you finally see yourself?
I am an artist of the figurative realism style. My works allow the viewer to discover their sensitivity, especially towards the human being. I love my paintings on this style so deeply that I see myself at the end, leaving a legacy of Art to humanity.
What do you want your art to convey to the people who see it?
What is the meaning or creative motivation behind your work? Through my work I seek to transmit sensations and awaken emotions. Art has a Universal language, which reaches everyone and moves feelings. It allows us to express our inner world. My motivation comes from interpreting the sensations of my characters, I am interested in the viewer interacting with the Work, from his own experience.
Can you tell us about the process you use to create your works?
What is his typical daily work routine? In my work I include music, especially Classical or Spiritual tint. I usually take inspiration from a life scene and do my interpretation. I gather a lot of photographic and bibliographical information about the subject, which I want to capture. I make sketches until I find what I want and start working with Oil, the color has its own expression. I work in layers, including more and more details and fades, until I finish.
What is his typical daily work routine?
I paint listening to music, especially classical or spiritual music. I usually take inspiration from a life scene and make my interpretation. I gather a lot of photographic and bibliographical information about the subject, which I want to capture. I start making sketches until I find what I want, then I start working with oil and adding color which has its own expression. I work in layers, including more and more details and fades, until it is done.
Where do you find inspiration? What motivates you to create?
I find inspiration in events that especially involve women, in their role of motherhood, protection, life; the working woman, the enterpreneur woman, the one who inspires peace. Also in childhood for what it represents: innocence and tenderness. I am motivated by themes that highlight the dignity of the human being and their inner emotions. Sometimes the inspiration also comes from the great masters, who have impressed me.
What has been your most outstanding achievement to date?
Among my most outstanding achievements I would include, to have been representated by important galleries, and have had presence in exhibitions at a national and international level. One of my works has been utilized as the cover page of a book: Gabriela Clau i Canyella, 2014. Barcelona, in Catalan. More recently, I won a second place in: Frida Kahlo Awards 2022, 115 Anniversary, with my work “Tribute to Frida" awarded by Whites Art Gallery, through a selection of an Italian Jury, and its president Marcelle Jaye Tandura.
What are your ultimate career goals?
I want to continue working in my Figurative Realistic style. I want to continue improving and capturing characters that transmit emotions and awake in the viewer that sense of balance, softness, harmony. Make my work contribute to viewer inner peace and in turn to the peace of the world in which we live. I think that these kinds of experiences are needed to get the best out of ourselves.
What are you working on now and what can we expect from you soon?
I am currently working on a project of superimposed works, where the human body becomes the canvas of another painting, which in turn has meaning for the viewer.I continue with my works, wherever they can support social causes such as cancer, the elderly and children, I want to continue supporting programs for foundations, where, through my works, I can contribute to improve the situation of people in difficulty. To close 2022, I have an exhibition with my White's Art Gallery, at the Intercontinental-Doral Hotel in Miami. Florida, from November to January 2023.
Website https://www.maritzabernalc.com
