During the Pandemic I have been packing a rucksack and walking in the mountains. I stop and paint in situ, following my eyes to track and connect with what I see. The observations land on the page.
I translate the observed and experienced energy of place and event through accumulated traces to create a visual equivalent of that experience.
My technique maintains the eye’s gaze on the subject to generate a deep engagement in the act of looking and mark making. I have trained my body to facilitate ‘a condition of connected looking’ (Hayes 2013). In such a condition, the process of observing and drawing/painting becomes integrated to the extent that the distance between observer and observed is dissolved. The aim is to develop the human sensing system for a humane art.
When painted, I photograph on my phone then post to Facebook. The work has developed a following.
The artwork on Maria’s Facebook Page
Born, living and working in Wales, Maria Hayes is a Fine Artist with a portfolio career. Her creative practice is central and informs her roles of artist facilitator, trainer, project manager and mentor.
In 2013 Maria was awarded a PhD in Fine Art from Aberystwyth University.
Maria often collaborates with musicians, dancers, and storytellers on performance-based projects. She has shown work extensively since 1986 in solo and group exhibitions, and performs drawing at live events. Maria’s work is in national and international collections, private and public.