Interview
Maria Cecilia Molina (Mariacem)
Maria Cecilia Molina, also known as Mariacem, is an abstract painter based in Greenwich, Connecticut. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and lived in Spain before relocating to the U.S. in 2008 with her husband and three children.
Though mostly self-taught as a painter, Mariacem’s professional training as an urban planner introduced her to the concepts of design, color theory, perspective, and architectural representation.
She continued her art education at the New York School of Interior Design, Norwalk Community College, Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan, and Greenwich Art Society School Of Visual Art.
Mariacem has had her work displayed in Connecticut galleries, and private collections in Caracas, Madrid, New York City, Connecticut, and Florida.
What is your background and how did you start your journey?
“I inherited the artistic vein from my family. My mom was a great realist and impressionist painter. She has been a major influence.
I always felt the desire to express myself creatively, and as a child, I enjoyed drawing and coloring. At school, I was more excited about doodling on my homework than working on the content itself. I spent hours illustrating projects before realizing that I had to complete other non-visual requirements.”
What inspires you most?
“Many things around me inspire my creative process, but nature is a main source of inspiration. The colors I use in my paintings are inspired by my upbringing in Venezuela, which exposed me to beach and mountain scenes.
I find inspiration from travel as well. I enjoy visits to the gallery and museums in the US and beyond.
I also admire the work of many artists, from emerging to established. Fame doesn’t matter to me; I look at every artist for inspiration.”
“My work retraces the landscapes and colors of my past: the undulating waves, hills, plants, vibrant colors, warm weather, and tropical nature of my birth country, Venezuela.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I’m interested in representing nature and conveying the joy of living by pushing the boundaries of color, line, and material.
I occasionally make protest art in the form of political cartoons that speak out against the violence and dictatorship in Venezuela. I have found, however, that I prefer to convey optimism and happiness. It is my hope that viewers will feel positivity and joy when they see my work.”
How would you describe your work?
“My works are generally modernist abstractions that aim to express warmth and brightness through the use of vibrant colors and contrasting textures.
More specifically, I like to paint with multiple layers of acrylics on canvas, using gels and tile adhesive, and sometimes incorporating pieces of cardboard, rope, nets, or paper into my compositions.”
Which artists influence you most?
“When I started painting, I was drawn to the works of Georgia O’Keeffe, and the way she captured close-ups and different perspectives of flowers.
I especially admire the use of primary and bright colors by Jasha Green, the abstract shapes and lines by Julie Mehretu, and the compositions with lines and dots by Sophie Taeuber-Arp.”
What is your creative process like?
“My paintings come about in different ways. Sometimes I think of the composition ahead of time. I visualize it in my head and then sketch it directly onto the canvas. Other times, I simply dream about a composition.
Often, I let the texture guide the piece. I start by selectively placing down the tile adhesive on parts of the canvas, and then I use a tool such as a plastic knife or fork to change its shape. I carve out different marks and patterns on the tile adhesive, and finally, I add multiple layers of paint. When it comes to picking my palette, I mix colors until they feel it’s just right. I let intuition drive my creative process.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists can transmit different messages: political, social, personal, or aesthetic. They can beautify our public spaces, buildings and cities, making art accessible to all.
Art is becoming more collective, so to speak. Galleries and museums are no longer the only places to view and display works of art. Today, online exhibitions are more common, and art can reach more people thanks to social media. The role of artists will continue to expand with our changing technologies.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’ve participated locally in various open calls in the state of Connecticut, where my works have been exhibited along with the works of other local artists.
In the future, I aspire towards more intimate showings of my work, in the form of solo exhibitions.”
Website: www.mariacem.com
Instagram: @mariacem_art
