BIOGRAPHY
From the small town of Virden, Illinois, Maria Kelarestaghi is an aspiring young artist with a passion for painting and drawing. She first gained recognition in the North Mac High School Fine Arts Festival in the years 2016-2019, granting her the opportunity to sell several of her works. in 2019 she received an honorable mention from the Scholastic Art Awards (Mid-Central Illinois region). Maria is currently furthering her education and skill level at Lincoln Land Community College where she works towards her associate’s degree in Fine Arts.
MANIFESTO
Finding inspiration through emotion, experiences and the works of others, I have found that art is my favorite outlet and greatest passion. It not only satisfies my need for self-expression, but it offers a sense of stability and serenity. A life where I am not surrounded by art would be unfulfilling, and I will continue to seek out opportunities that bring me closer towards a career in the art industry.
Open mindedness is a quality that I, as an artist, never wish to lose. Once we acknowledge the fact that there are no real rules and that boundaries are set by ourselves, any sense of “right” or “wrong” goes out the window. By embracing this knowledge, I have found myself free to experiment with different colors and media, while keeping in mind s certain mood I wish to portray.
Through many failures and successes, I have discovered that my favorite form of art is painting, followed closely by drawing. I am deeply drawn towards the expressive nature of abstract art, focusing on the ability of the finer details in color and movement to hone in on a specific emotion. Because of this I discovered that I strongly prefer personal works rather than commissions. Creative freedom is important to me and has a great affect on my attitude towards my work.
No matter the materials on hand, my ultimate goal is to take what I have and give it meaning. Fine art does not require the most expensive materials, but it absolutely requires creativity, purpose, and passion. I also wish to communicate effectively through the use of colors, movement and detail while learning something new every step of the way. Identifying small victories and celebrating them is a major part of learning, as well as recognizing errors and genuinely working towards improvement.
I dream of making my art a part of my profession for the simple fact that it is what I love to do, and it is what I do best. Room for creativity plays an important role when it comes to my happiness, and ultimately my quality of life. A career in the art industry would be my greatest success, offering learning opportunities and a purpose for my passion.