Conforti-Piotto
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Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Maria was raised and resides in the tranquil rural setting of DeWinton, Alberta. Growing up on the Prairies, Maria was surrounded by wildlife, flora, open skies, rolling Foothills and the majestic Rocky Mountains. It is in this pristine setting, that her inspiration, connection with nature and creativity flourishes on a daily basis.
Maria obtained her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Calgary and taught in the Calgary Separate Board of Education as well as in a private school for numerous years. Raising her two children with her husband, she is presently self-employed.
Maria’s first formal education in art was in 1981 at the University of Calgary, where she studied drawing, sculpting, and printmaking. Her travels exposed her to many museums, world famous artworks, history and architecture, which influence her work regularly. As a photographer, Maria painted with light and her work was sold in local galleries in Okotoks, High River, as well as to private commissions in Calgary. She continues to study painting and drawing through the Calgary Board of Education Continuing Education Program. She enjoys the workshop setting where she can meet regularly with other artists and professional instructors. Maria always managed to find activities where she could explore her love for creativity, whether it was through painting, sketching, music, dancing, learning foreign languages, travelling, fashion, gardening, interior decorating, sculpting, writing, photography, floral designs, or cooking. Maria also took poetry writing classes at the Banff School of Fine Arts and loves to express herself in this literary form.
As a first generation Canadian, Maria always wanted to learn more about herself, her roots, and others in the world. Through her lingering quest to express her inner-self, she found that delving into creative activities helped her to live a fuller and more meaningful life. The paintbrush and colour are a wonderful means to communicate. Her works include figurative, contemporary abstract pieces, florals, landscapes, still life and animals. The arts are a way to pursue new challenges. Because of Maria’s interest and curiosity in people and different cultures, her love of languages and communication promote her self-expression in her artwork. Visual art is another form of universal communication for her because it acts as a timeless bond amongst all humans.
“Since I was young, I have always relied on some form of art to weave me through life. I dedicate my passion, study and work to the people of this earth in hopes of fostering thoughts, feelings, and the precious conservation of our natural world.”
Through this artistic universal language spoken by her artwork, she hopes to touch and reach out to people everywhere.
“Life is a journey of self-expression. There is an innate physical and emotional drive in every human being to experience life, to go on new adventures, and to understand the other peoples with whom we share this world. It is through the visual arts, through writing, through languages, through communication and through travels, that all of this can be accomplished. Art is a visual voice.”
“What the eye chooses to see, will affect what the heart will feel and what the spirit ultimately becomes.”
“I hope that in some modest way, my work touches your heart and makes you think or feel something about the precious world in which we live in.” My left ring fingerprint is on each of my paintings and is intended to signify that my work comes directly from my heart.”
-- Maria Conforti-Piotto
