Tell us a little about yourself. How old are your children? Where can we find you?
- Website / Blog: www.mariakamara.com
- Instagram @mariakamaraart
- Facebook: Maria Kamara
- Twitter @mariakamaraart
- Google+ @mariakamaraart
Has your approach to painting, your processes, medium, or your inspiration changed since having children?
I started seriously painting after having children. Before children I was so wrapped up in my music, first getting my Masters and then beginning a career, that I had no room for my artistic aspirations. It was only after children that I began to have pockets of time where I could explore my art.
Is it easy or difficult for you to find/make time to create? Did you have to give anything up? Do you have advice on what works for you?
It's definitely not easy for me to find time to paint. I schedule it into my days and I make it a priority similar to exercising or one on one time with my kids. Organizing my time is key to making sure important things happen. Spontaneous painting doesn't occur very often but when it does it's lovely. The more space my art business takes in my life the more I have had to let go of house work. Not always easy because I'm a visual person who likes a neat and tidy home, however the trade off is worth it 100%. What works for me is prioritizing and scheduling. Having a list of daily tasks I must do in order to feel good about my surroundings keeps me focused on my values which keeps me feeling centered. Don't sweat the small stuff is a great motto.
How does being an artist make you a better mother to your children? What do you hope they take away from seeing you as an artist doing something that fulfills you?
It's important to me to show our children that I'm are being brave and truthful with my life. I want my children to know they can pursue their dreams and face fears they may have while pursuing their goals and they need to see me doing that as well. Hopefully my kids will remember seeing me being passionate about my art and will see how it fed me and that it was glorifying to God.
Where do you paint or create? What are your favorite things about your workspace and what would you improve? Do you ever create art with your kids?
I work from my home studio. First I love that it's right in my home and secondly I love the space I have and the light. I do create art with my kids. It's one of my favorite treats. You spread out everything on the floor and my boys, baby girl and I just experiment with color and shape. My youngest son loves to sing as he paints which reminds me a lot of our oldest daughter who did the same. She is also an artist and we like to create clothing together. She's a seamstress and I'm her official ironer but we think alike and really love working together.
Do you have any tips to streamline / delegate / outsource household and childcare activities so that you can focus more time on your art? Has your lifestyle changed in any major ways?
My only tip is to just go ahead and delegate. For a long time I tried to do it all and it's exhausting. Delegate and outsource whenever you financially can the things that you don't have to do. I only recently started doing this and wish that I had started long ago, but you live and learn. Being able to work more on my art leaves me much more energized and happy.
Do you have any big goals or dreams for your art that you'd like to share? What would be your dream project?
A goal of mine is to do more commissions. The process of creating something truly special for someone that holds meaning to them is very satisfying. Focusing on a moment in time or an experience that the client wants to remember always brings out the best in my painting. My dream project would be to paint a piece for the White House.
You can purchase an original painting or commission a custom piece from Maria via her website shop here.