Mauruarend Art

I am originally from Guatemala, a third world country situated in Central America. The first seven and a half years of my life, I grew up in an orphanage in Guatemala City. God’s guiding hand was to lead to my adoption by a loving American family. My life’s journey had brought me to the northeastern part of the United States, and I was raised in the town of Wyckoff, New Jersey. This was just the beginning of my incredible life’s journey which is still continuing today.

My artistic voyage began when I was in the third grade. Like most kids, I enjoyed the pleasure of coloring books, but It wasn’t anything that I was passionate about, at least not yet. That was something that was soon to come. My passion for art was to be ignited by a single event.

I remember copying a picture of the skeletal system for art class. My teacher was astounded at the image that I had produced. I had taken pleasure in my creation but at the time I couldn’t really grasp the scope of my artistic abilities with which God had gifted me. Before the end of the school day, my teacher had made a phone call to my mother and had expressed her excitement in the piece of artwork that I had created.

My mother took a look at my drawing and realized the gift with which I had been blessed. From that point on, my parents had both been very nurturing and supportive of my artistic evolution. I have had a number of wonderful art teachers and instructors. Most notably is my late mentor, Gale Bennett, who passed away in March of 2008.

Over the years I have garnered extensive training and experience in a multitude of mediums, such as painting, illustration, photography, and sculpture. Throughout my artistic career, I have won numerous awards, both locally and nationally.

I whole-heartedly believe that art is an extension of our very being and one of the greatest examples of our own individual self expressions. I also believe that fine art is something that is constantly evolving through one’s new visions. From the time of some of the well known masters such as; Rembrandt, Da Vinci, and Michelangelo to Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Dali, fine art has continually evolved. Like them, I hope to inspire others through my artistic skills and abilities. I hope that my artistic gift continues to evolve and grow through my own new visions.