We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria-Victoria Checa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria-Victoria below.
Maria-Victoria, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I started painting for practical reasons in 2018. I had never painted before. I did not even know the difference between oils and acrylics, let alone watercolors.
I decided to paint some large abstract paintings to stage my house for rent in May 2018. I created some pieces that I thought were pretty cool and loved the process! I decided to pursue painting as a part-time hobby.
I created an instagram and facebook account to share my art pieces. Several friends and family members asked if my paintings were for sale. That is how I started selling art.
I continued painting part-time while teaching math part-time at American University and at Montgomery College. I got a little frustrated with the lack of consistency and time in my painting schedule. I grew impatient and wanted to paint more and to paint every day.. so in January 2022, I took the plunge! I quit my teaching job and decided to dedicate myself completely to painting. I guess I became a professional artist then. My instagram account took off with more and more followers and the beginning of sales of some of my artwork through Instagram. I realized I was making huge progress in my painting skills by being able to paint every day and all day! More and more paintings were selling!
One painting, Fairy’s Cove II was commissioned by a prominent LA based interior designer for the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Chicago. I am so proud to know the painting is part of the elegant decor.
Home Goods commissioned large canvas prints of Wild Flowers Meadow, a flower field I created and sold in 2022. Someone messaged me on Instagram to tell me how much they loved the canvas print of Wild Flowers Meadow they had bought at the store and how it complimented their home decor. I was thrilled by her message!
I cannot express the daily enthusiasm when I wake up and think that I will have the chance to paint all day! I am so happy.
I have been able to somehow support myself with the sales of my paintings and hope to continue selling more pieces and getting better everyday.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have no training in painting whatsoever and taught myself how to paint while watching youtube videos and reading books about oil, acrylic and watercolor painting. I think I have a good eye for colors and balance in my paintings.
I think I am very optimist and upbeat. I have enjoyed a peaceful life surrounded by very loving family and friends. This immense inner joy, I think, is expressed in my colorful artworks.
I am a firm believer in freedom. Freedom is the greatest gift to a human being. I think children should be given guided freedom to develop into their own selves. I think that journey occurred to me in later years and it is that inner voyage and discovery that is transpiring in my paintings. To be able to express myself freely without any rule constraints is a privilege that I deeply appreciate.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I wish small museums and institutions would open more their doors to local artists and/or maybe organize monthly calls for artists around a theme pertaining to a current exhibition.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I hope to connect with people who resonate with my painting style and bring colorful notes to their life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mvchecaart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvcheca.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063494853777
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-victoria-checa-b3a64a87/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MariaVi09045459