MARIA MARTA MORELLI
Artist of realism
Buenos Aires-based artist continues the tradition of flower art like many artists throughout history with her series of large-scale paintings of peonies and roses.
“I'm very interested in the cycle of time and I consider myself an environmental painter, focused on Mother Nature's. Flowers represent youth, sensuality, passion, love, splendor and beauty, but at the same time they also represent the unbearable finitude of life.”
She renders her subjects with layers of oil paint until each tiny detail is captured. Furthermore, she places her flowers against a solid color background to enhance the vibrant splendor of the flora.
While she is fond of all flowers, her art gravitates towards two species in particular. “The flowers that I usually paint, like peonies and roses, have a structure with enveloping petals,”
Typically, her compositions feature a combination of blossoms and flowers that are already in full bloom. This gives the artist the opportunity to paint different stages of a flower's life on one canvas.
“Through my large and complex flowers, the viewer has the sensation of entering in their labyrinths of shapes and getting lost in them, resting and surrendering to the arms of their petals with a feeling of peace that only Nature can give us. “
Why painting flowers?
“I find hope and relief in the beauty of flowers in front of the unbearable finitude of life. With their beauty and freshness flowers represent youth, sensuality, passion and love and my hope is to freeze those brief moments in my paintings”
Why in large scale?
“Because the viewer can feel how small we are in front of Nature. Large-scale paintings become the main character of any room decoration stimulating our senses, connecting with Nature and evoking emotions of love and gratitude.
The compositions I like the most are those that have variety of colors and shapes, always under natural light, with flowers that begin to wither combined with fresher ones and buds as well, showing the beauty of each stage of life. Sunlight is an element of great importance in my paintings, showing the power of light, without which we could not live.”
“My hope is that my paintings might offer peace, joy and a sense of serenity in my viewers’ world through flower beauty.”
Through my paintings I expect people to stop for a while in their hurried lives and admire the greatness in Nature which is usually taken for granted.
Teaching art in her studio and giving workshops regularly is an integral part of Maria Marta's creative work.
She has also recorded online art class, reaching students from all over the world, in English, Italian and Spanish languages.
BACKGROUND
I have painted all my life since I can remember and my home during childhood has been a great artistic inspiration to me since my father, being a pianist and organist, has provided my brothers and me with constant classical music classes, piano and singing. I grew up in an Italian immigrant family of the 20th century, where hard work was the rule and they wanted a better life for their children and grandchildren with higher education and culture than they had.
I studied Graphic Design at Buenos Aires University and then I obtained the Artisan Professor degree at Normal nº 6 Superior School in Buenos Aires.
I then focused on classic oil painting attending classes with many artists, discovering contemporary realistic art. Marcos Borio and Juan Lascano have been my most influential teachers in Argentina, awakening in me the fascination for classic still life and realism in art.
Visiting The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and Uffizi Gallery in Florence left a strong impression on me, confirming my passion for the Old Dutch Master’s and Italian Renaissance.
I have made several commissions for private collectors, like those for one of the organs` doors in The Oude Kerk ( Old Church) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands: a new version of Vincenzo Maganza’s painting ( from 1650) as well as many others still life and flower paintings for collectors around the world.
I have participated in exhibitions and auctions in Argentina, The Netherlands, USA and Taiwan.
I teach art classes at my studio in Buenos Aires, Argentina and do painting workshops around my country and also in Rome, Italy.
Since 2020 I do online art class too, arriving to students from all over the world, through English, Italian and Spanish languages. Teaching is an integral part of my creative work.
EXHIBITIONS
Art Revolution Taipei, 2022 and 2021, Taiwan
X-Power Gallery, 2021, Taipei, Taiwan
Glade Cultural Center, 2020, Houston, Texas, USA
Galería Mercedes Giachett, 2019, San Telmo Buenos Aires, Argentina
Centro Galicia de Buenos Aires 2019, 2018, 2017, 21016, 2015, 2014
Auction in HQ School of Veenendal in Kievietsdal Baarm, 2015, The Netherlands
Sala de Exposiciones de la Legislatura de Buenos Aires, 2015, Argentina
Obsesión Arte 2013, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Expoarte 2013, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Galería Jakim, 2013, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Galería Forma, 2013, Buenos Aires, Argentina
INTERVIEWS
- The Modern Met, online magazine: “Luscious Oil Paintings bloom flowers that look real enough to touch”
- Colossal, international platform for contemporary art: “Pink Peonies burst with Life in Hyperrealistic Oil Painting by Maria Marta Morelli”
- World Open News, rivista d Arte e Architettura: “I sinuosi dipinti ad olio di Maria Marta Morelli sembrano cosí reali da poter essere toccati” ( in Italian language)
- Old Skull, online magazine: “Naturaleza que florece en los óleos hiperrealistas de Maria Marta Morelli” (in Spanish language)