We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cindy Maria a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cindy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My parents never gave me everything I wanted, I had to work for material things and be respectful to keep them. We didn’t have all the luxuries growing up, but they always kept a hard work ethic to provide for our necessities and gave my siblings and me fun experiences occasionally; even to this day, they continue to work and build their homes.
Cindy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hola! I am Cindy Maria, my home is currently in Glendale, AZ but I carry roots from Los Angeles and Phoenix. I first began drawing at the age of 9 when I came across Bob Ross on TV. It wasn’t until the age of 19 that I went to school for art. I began with fine art to learn more about drawing and painting, then jumped into graphic design, and ended up going into general business to finish off my associate’s. During my time in school, I wanted to start sharing my art pieces so participated as a vendor in art walks, art shows, and other events. My favorite pieces to display are my “Fruit of the Spirit” series which I created in Photoshop and my painted canvases. I tend to paint based on commission requests but am also very inspired by biblical scriptures and dreams I have had. I would love to someday display a collection of black-and-white paintings along with a series of colorful pieces that I have brainstormed in the past. Today, I currently attend Arizona State University to become a special education teacher so I have paused my vending at art events, yet still take in commission work when the opportunity arises. Once done with my teaching degree I plan to be in the classroom for a few years, but I also have my dream to connect my art, business, and Special Education expertise in the future into one big, creative idea.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
When I was 17 I had a supernatural experience with God. It flipped my world upside down and inside out, and since then I have read and studied his book to learn who He is and why I am here, I am now 32. Referring back to two verses, as I matured and got older, this is what drove my creative journey and the decisions I want to make: (Phillippians 2:3-4) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. and (2 Timothy 4:7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In 2021, I lost my big brother, Juan, to a drug overdose. I experienced the deepest grief of my life because we were really good friends and he was one of the few people in my world that made me feel cherished. My brother and I always had conversations about our faith. We believe in Jesus Christ so we believe in life even after death; this is where my hope and resilience came from during those toughest times. After Juan’s passing, I took one year off from school (was pursuing nursing at that time), went down to working one job–and leaning on God–I made it out of the pit of grief, mild depression, isolation, and heavy drinking and I was aligned with what I wanted to do with my life and my talents. “There is something about pain that purifies.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cindymariadesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.maria.5/