Today we’d like to introduce you to Maris O’Brien
Hi Maris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember. I have a distinct memory from third grade where we had to hold up a sign that said “When I grow up, I want to be ___” and take a photo for the yearbook. Naturally, I wrote “an artist”, though I really had no idea what kind I was gonna be or how I’d even get there. I found so much joy in the small amount of time I had in my elementary school art classes and used every craft material at my disposal in my home to make random creations. Fast forward to middle and high school, that passion only grew stronger, and I couldn’t imagine pursuing anything other than art in college. I’m so grateful for the extensive art program at my high school because it allowed me to try out all different mediums and styles in a positive environment. I took two years of AP Studio Art during that time which really cemented my love for painting and gave me some direction in regard to my future career. My teacher, Mr. Halem, was instrumental to my development as an artist and his belief in my dreams pushed me to take them seriously. During my college search, I had taken a tour at SCAD since they had been on my radar for a while, and I absolutely fell in love. Knowing they had a program entirely dedicated to Painting really sealed the deal for me, amongst other things. Ever since then I’ve only become more engrossed in my craft and feel that I’m doing exactly what third grade Maris would want me to be doing. The friends, peers, and professors I’ve met along the way here at college constantly inspire and motivate me to create obsessively and unapologetically.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My creative and personal journey has been somewhat smooth, but of course growing into adulthood has its bumps. Going from suburban Long Island to city-living in Savannah was a pretty big shift and I struggled to acclimate for over a year. Making friends in a brand new space as a shy person was difficult and I began to question a lot about myself personally and artistically. During that time I experimented with tons of different mediums and subjects to hopefully find my niche. My sophomore year was a really transformative time, as my roommates grew to become my best friends and I started to gain my footing in painting. Before I knew it I was taking strolls at night, gathering photo references, and painting nocturne landscapes in every bit of free time I had. It was just the kind of inspiration I needed amongst lots of uncertainty.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I make representational paintings about how childhood interests influence our tastes as adults and the sacredness of personal style. My paintings are like little snapshots of the treasured parts of my life, whether it be the pieces of clothing I’ve thrifted, the trinkets that sit on my windowsill, or the birds I encounter day-to-day. These subjects are often paired with kitsch patterns and woven textures that resemble something you’d find in an older relatives’ house. It’s a pretty big leap from the nocturne landscapes I was making two years ago, but it’s still an offshoot of concepts like displacement, belonging, and comfort that I have been considering for years. Though I was sworn to acrylics when I came to college, I’ve really found a love for oil paint and reach for it in almost all my pieces now. Also, as time goes on my paintings seem to get smaller and smaller. I think there’s an intimacy in working small and letting the viewer get up close and personal with the work. It also makes the work very portable and easy to hang which is a plus. As far as what I’m most proud of, I think it’s the ability to be consistent and intentional, confidently executing an idea from concept to final piece. That’s not to say I don’t falter, it usually takes me a few months to warm up to my paintings after staring at them intently for weeks.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
What a fun question! Probably that I’m not a very serious person at all. Some of the subjects I paint and ideas I cover are pretty heavy and introspective, but ultimately I’m very lighthearted and kiddish at heart. I think it’s important to be kind and genuine because being mysterious is overrated and not worth the effort. The art world can be overly poised and self-serious so I try my best to combat that one conversation, studio visit, or critique at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marisobrienfineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marispaints_/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maris-o’brien-b21331220
- Other: https://www.scadartsales.com/artist/maris-obrien
