Maria Belen Pape

About the Process

My artistic process started several years ago when I came to live in the U.S I started to feel the desire and need to unveil hidden artistic ideas, and I took photography and acrylics at Pima. I believe that before it, my artistic ideas were dormant or trapped due to childhood unresolved traumas. My process is honest. I go with my own flow. I don't have too many expectations. Often, I don't have a clear plan about what is going to happen. It is very personal but also deeply connected to different audiences. I use elements such as branches from the Sonoran Desert and mixed media. Lately I have been exploring digital art. I like textures. I start by painting pieces related to Motherhood. I wanted to share that unique deep love, and connection that was developed when I had my child. After it, my pieces represented nature: my deep connection and love to the Desert. Laten on, I started to work on pieces related to social issues. I am translator and interpreter for social organizations which advocate pro minorities. This work has allowed to see beyond my reality and be more thankful about things that I have taken as granted. After separating from my daughter's father, I started therapy which allowed to be in touch with my traumas, and through art I have been able to heal it. I continue representing nature; through its colors I can see light when I get sad. I can't be blind to the fact that we are living surrounded by greed, abuse of power, systemic oppressions, poverty, racism. However, art is my portal to transmute these realities into faith and peace. Lately, I have been representing the Menopause and the First moon as a tribute to women who are going through these phases.