Peering Through the Garden Painting

Maija Kellner-Rode is an abstract painter and illustrator. Growing up in Alaska, Momma Earth became her main muse from a young age. Living in such a wild and untamed place gave her an undeniable appreciation and love for our planet and the deep knowing that our Earth heals. As spring emerges from the winter’s thaw, Maija’s artwork inspires the felt sense that hope is on the horizon. Maija’s creative practice is rooted in the somatic and intuitive realm. Where mindfulness, messiness and the body intersect. Using layers of color and texture, scribbling over and etching away; she explores her surrounding environments, her mental, emotional, physical and spiritual states. Maija intuitively illustrates botanical inspired imagery on top of layers of paint. She then fills in the negative space to reveal the subject matter emerging through, creating a sense of clarity among the chaos living beneath the surface. Without erasing her line work, the viewer is able to see and feel the process she went through to get to the final work of art. Maija is currently enrolled in the Expressive Arts and Somatic Therapy Certificate program through Tamalpa Institute and is the owner and designer behind Maija Rebecca Hand Drawn, a paper goods and design company. In collaboration with Claire Brislin, Maija is starting a non-profit called, The Open Arts Center, a creative arts center that will provide an after school hub for middle and high school aged youth in Central Oregon. Their goal is to cultivate a space to encourage personal and creative development while fostering community and belonging. Learn more about Maija at: , and