Maria Crawford is a mixed-media artist delving into the abstract mind to create abstract works.

Hi Maria! How did your artistic journey start?
I returned to college at the age of 57 after raising 3 children it was finally an opportunity to develop my artistic practice and grow as an artist, I applied to do an HNC in Art and Design and I am now in the final stages of my HND.

How has your practice changed over time?
My practice has vastly changed over the last two years. I was previously painting pretty pictures, realistic portraits and landscapes.  I started to move towards a more abstract form of art last year and it has grown and became more contemporary and conceptual over time.

Will your next project be a continuation of your current style or are you experimenting with something different? Can you share a glimpse of your next project?
My next project represents a notable departure from my current style as a painter focused on feminist themes. I’m travelling into the realm of sculpture, drawing inspiration from my childhood memories. This transition allows me to explore new dimensions of expression and storytelling. Although still in the development stages, I’m eager to offer a glimpse into this phase of my artistic practice.

What challenges did you experience during the creation of your work and how did you overcome them?
Digging deep into your own emotions can be a difficult journey and expressing the raw truth within your art is uncomfortable, exposing yourself in your darkest most vulnerable moments raises many questions.

I struggled with confronting the pressures placed upon me and the way it impacted my mental health, this took its toll on me, but I kept going and I looked at this as an opportunity for healing and it became a cathartic process. 

The practical challenges were having the space and freedom to create action artwork. I had to work a lot outside, weather allowing, which was not very often, also putting the images on top of the abstract was difficult for two reasons firstly identifying the areas that would work and secondly having to paint faces within the abstracts uneven surface was a challenge.

How do you know when a piece is complete?
It is important to learn to walk away and not overwork a piece, something I was very guilty of doing, but I am much better now, a little technique I use now is photographing the piece it gives you fresh perspective.

What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to move in a new direction. Challenge yourself to try new things this will help you grow as an artist, and it keeps the passion alive, have confidence in your work and do not bend to external pressures.

See more of Maria’s work, along with that of her fellow HND artists, at Saturate Your Mind, running at Six Foot Gallery until Thursday 9th May.