Today we’d like to introduce you to Mara Torres Gonzalez. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Mara Torres González is an artist born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, currently living in Sarasota, Florida. Mara has expressed her creativity since her early childhood. She started taking art classes at the age of four at ‘Liga de Arte de San Juan’ in Puerto Rico where, as the youngest of the group, one of her paintings was selected for a group exhibition. She continued the journey through all of her childhood and had artist Betsy Padín as her mentor, being transcendental in her artistic formation. After graduating from high school in 1997 with an Art Honor Award, Mara continued to acquire formal art studies at the School of Plastic Arts and Design of Puerto Rico where she studied with Artist Professors Rafael Rivera Rosa, Carlos Marcial, Luis Felipe López, Julio Suárez, Charles Juhasz, Elizam Escobar, amongst others. She graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in painting.
Since then, she has lived through art in various ways, as an artist, and as an event designer. Some highlights of her event designer career include a partnership in 2017 with celebrity event designer Preston Bailey. In this event, they received people from 12 countries including Malaysia, Nigeria, SriLanka, UK, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, Uruguay, Honduras, Panama, Ecuador, and USA. Mara also designed the wedding of NBA player from Dallas Mavericks, José Juan Barea with Miss Universe Puerto Rico Viviana Ortiz. After a very successful 18+ year career as an event and floral designer, Mara has returned to her roots.
“From nature to social controversy, I get inspired by anything my eye catches. For me art is not only a painting, it is the channel through which I express myself and my feelings.” Mara Torres González is currently working on acrylic, encaustic, photography, resin, alcohol ink, mixed media, and acrylic pour. Her work is currently in galleries and private collections across Puerto Rico, México, London, and the United States.
In August 20, 2020, M A R A opened her own art studio + gallery in Sarasota, Florida. At the studio, there are different workshop opportunities including acrylic pour, encaustic, and others. She strongly believes in the power of community, opening the doors to contribute with other artists in the area, including students from the Ringling College of Art and Design. At the gallery, MARA showcases her work, as well as the work of other modern contemporary artists. The gallery has rotating art exhibitions throughout the year and is also available for events.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been smooth at all, I decided to open the gallery in 2020 at the initial stages of a world pandemic. As every new business, I knew it would take time, but it took more than that, it took all the courage and resilience in the world to go through this difficult times and MAKE IT. At the same time, I’ve encountered special people through this journey who have been great supporters.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m been an artist and creative all my life but have also been a very successful businesswoman for the past 21 years. I owned an event design firm in Puerto Rico where I expressed my art and creativity through paper, flowers, and events. Today I am fully dedicated to the visual arts, specializing on large-scale abstract and mixed media. I’m also very well known for my encaustic pieces, especially my series 209, which captured the aftermath of Hurricane Maria through PR.
I’m most proud of my resiliency, I’ve managed to succeed through the toughest life moments brought upon me.
What sets me apart from others?
My creative work and encaustic pieces are different from the work of other artists. But I would say the attention to detail, passion, history, and story behind every piece sets me apart from others.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Like everything in life, the art world will keep evolving. Locally I see the art scenario “slowly” changing and adapting to the current trends.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.marastudiogallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mara_studio_gallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marastudiogallery
Image Credits
Christine Nicole
