Meet Maria Staffeld | Artist: Sculptress, Painter.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Staffeld and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Like many, I started the venture of my small business during the pandemic. Suddenly, I had plenty of time in my hands (and lots of clay in my hands too.) I spent most of my time digital drawing and painting, but I felt the need to bring my designs to life by creating three-dimensional objects. I shifted my attention on improving my space to make sure it felt comfortable and pleasant, which helped distract me from the outside world chaos. I began with the creation of funky, imaginary characters and objects inspired by folklore, mythology and contemporary design to distract myself from the “gray” times we were facing. In a way, I was creating a parallel world of my own.

During the pandemic, I was completing my BFA in Denver, Colorado. Selling my studio work online and gifting sculptures to loved ones allowed me to connect with people while social distancing, adding cheerfulness to their spaces, the places they would spend most of their time at. It was nurturing, and an act of collaboration and support. Once the pandemic mellowed down, I visited galleries in RiNo, the art district of Denver, and ended up scoring my first solo exhibition in Dateline. The show, Somewhere Nowhere, was filled with sculptural paintings, objects and figurine collectibles. The opening felt like a warm “back to reality” party in a totally surreal, nostalgic setting, with all the surrounding galleries sharing the excitement as they gathered around the streets of Denver.

I’ve continued to create variations of my soft-edged feline Pusses and Musas, Venus sculptures. They keep on expanding as I grow as an artist and keep defining their “DNA”. Many of them are now in the hands of lovely collectors in diverse parts of the world. I’m now based in my hometown, the Dominican Republic, an island I believe to be blessed. This is where I have my studio workshop and shop displays. I’ve made it part of my purpose to grow in the nest I was born, while I discover other places on the go. I’ve kept connecting with long distance collectors by presenting my work on social media and my website https://www.staffeld.co , where I showcase and sell my artwork online.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My collectible Pusses, feline sculptures, are a representation of the introverted and extroverted. Their appearance is often inspired by domestic and organic patterns, with their soft edges making them seem calm and quiet. Their colors often tell otherwise. In some ways, they’re wild, but domesticated.

I’m thankful I was able to find my signature, allowing me to express myself creatively in a way that is authentic. I love being able to connect and communicate in abstract, indirect ways. It has been a long process, but it keeps on flourishing. There will be rainy and sunny days, periods where I’ll focus on creation, experimentation, and other times, I’ll simply focus on absorbing and learning. One of the biggest things I’ve had to learn along the way is to not put pressure on myself. When you work for yourself, you often have no timeframe limits. I find it important to keep a balanced studio/work life in order to keep creating consciously, and from the heart.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the Dominican Republic, Samaná Bay would be the place to stay. Crystalline beaches, golden sand, sublime restaurants and cozy places to stay. It’s the perfect place to get off the grid, or even plan a remote studio getaway to seek some inspiration, taking advantage of the outstanding views and the contagious cheerfulness of the people that live in the bay area.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tina Ritchie, (@tinaisoladesign on Instagram) a fantastic artist, college buddy and late night paint session mate. I appreciate her endlessly for our late nights talking about peculiar artists, her extra hand building uncanny sculptures and our creative energy flow. Her skills had me mesmerized the first time I saw her work, and she’s never stopped inspiring me through her dedication and consistency.

Amber Cobb (@amberdcobb on Instagram) was one of the main people who guided me in the art world, and showed me how to polish the skills I never knew I had in sculpture. She encouraged me to dig deep into myself and taught me how to materialize my concepts in a totally new medium.

Jacqueline Then (@JacquelineThen) for guiding me through the creative scene in the Dominican Republic, I appreciate her endlessly for her support and mentorship.

Website: https://www.staffeld.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staffeld/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar%C3%ADa-staffeld-75a627204/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/staffeld