Voices of Experience - Maria Marino

“Art is limitless in its possibilities.

It is the essence of our souls.

To offer it freely, without fear of what will come of it,

to express it, is what I can give of myself . . .”

Maria Marino’s vivid and expressive paintings are a delight to the eye. Although she works in multiple mediums, we asked her to tell us about her pastel work—her largest body of work. Her strong background in drawing combined with her BFA and years of work in Interior Architecture have given her a sure stroke and unique appreciation for the surface textures possible in pastel work. Marino told us about her background, the beginnings of her love for pastel, and, her relatively recent transition to being a full-time fine artist.

At 16 years of age my mother purchased a full set of Rembrandt pastels for me from a local art store. She was the person in my life who nurtured my love of art and design. She would spend time with me in an old-fashioned art store and allow me the opportunity to try out diffe…