Quiet Resilience Print

Maura Reed’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in her early experiences growing up in Nashville, where the rich traditions of her family’s creative legacy shaped her sensibilities. Her mother and grandmother, who were both accomplished artists, served as the initial guides in her development, offering her a firsthand immersion in the world of art from an early age. By the age of five, Maura’s identity as an artist was already firmly established, an instinctive recognition of her creative destiny that would be nurtured through private lessons with her mother. These early lessons laid the groundwork for her subsequent exploration of the visual language, a foundation that would resonate throughout her career. Maura’s academic path led her to the University of Alabama, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, with a minor in Art. This dual focus not only expanded her understanding of form, space, and aesthetics but also refined her capacity to navigate the intersection between functional design and artistic expression. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Maura transitioned into the professional art world, establishing herself as a painter whose works found their way into corporate collections such as Honda, Miller Brewing and Philip Morris. After moving to Connecticut, the demands of family life in the ensuing years prompted a shift in her creative trajectory. It was not until her mid-40s that art once again beckoned, this time in the form of graphic design. What began as a personal pursuit soon blossomed into a flourishing 15-year career, during which Maura became both a sought-after graphic designer and illustrator. During this time, her formal studies at The New School and the School of Visual Arts in New York City, marked a period of intense refinement and expansion of her artistic toolkit. Maura's color palette reflects the present moment, capturing the ebb and flow of emotions tied to past experiences and future aspirations. By bypassing conscious thought, Maura allows pure emotion to guide her process, creating a body of work that embodies both calm and energy—an intentional dichotomy revealing the depths of her inner world. Instead of predetermining subjects, Maura immerses herself in feeling, ensuring authenticity and uniqueness in every piece. Her intuitive approach offers viewers a sense of stability amidst life's chaos, celebrating the rich spectrum of human emotion.