The movement series was inspired by another part of my life in Brazil. As a teenager and young adult, I developed a love for the carnival. I love everything about it! The carnival parades, the mix of colors, the energy, the costumes, the flow, the dancing, the music, the diversity. There are so many beautiful colors, movement and energy! When I was selling clothing in Brazil, I even made costumes for the carnival. Every year, I watch 3 days of the carnival parade in Brazil. It is very near and dear to my heart.

The Movement Series

The Earthly series was inspired by my childhood, growing up in Brazil. I used to live in a small town with unpaved streets and have memories of walking barefoot, feeling and seeing the deep red powdered earth underneath my feet, warm and soft between my toes. It made me feel alive! There were so many textures around me from the beaches, sand, shells to the trees, rocks, rivers, and fibers from the palm and coconut trees. This influenced me to use lots of textures in this series, including marble powder, Brazilian coffee grounds and sawdust.

The Earthly Series

This series was born out of the COVID pandemic. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I wasn't able to use my studio space anymore. Being an artist who loves to paint on rather large pieces, I felt at a loss. I couldn't see my grandchildren, couldn't visit my family in Brazil. It was depressing and I had no motivation to work. Eventually, I started to think about how I could use paper in my work and something sparked within me. Suddenly, I was eager to start something new. I am a self taught artist and love to experiment with mediums. So, for the first time, I started using watercolor on paper and fell in love with it. I loved the ebb and flow of the watercolor. My creative energies returned! It was the start of something new.

Mara Galvao