Stephanie Maraz
painter and sculptor

I love to experiment with all forms of art from sculpture to mixed media to printmaking and sketching. Doing art helps me to notice things and really see what is all around – the colours, the shapes, shadows and reflections. To me art is about relaxing and getting into the flow.
I have the luxury of a four-day working week in a job in the mental health sector that I enjoy, and it's creative in its own way. I do courses, join sketch groups and take art holidays to immerse and explore.
Responding to the environment in outback Australia was an inspiring and joyful experience. The art was all about colour, texture, experimentation and play. Last year’s trip to Venice stayed in my minds eye and gave me a theme to investigate my way into printmaking - layering colours and creating reflections. I love the surprise element. As soon as I start trying too hard to get it right or create something in particular the pleasure wanes and the work dulls. Figurative works also inspire me, the body a landscape in itself is wonderful to sketch and sculpt. An added bonus for me is that the doing of art also brings so much to the appreciation of it.
I have the luxury of a four-day working week in a job in the mental health sector that I enjoy, and it's creative in its own way. I do courses, join sketch groups and take art holidays to immerse and explore.
Responding to the environment in outback Australia was an inspiring and joyful experience. The art was all about colour, texture, experimentation and play. Last year’s trip to Venice stayed in my minds eye and gave me a theme to investigate my way into printmaking - layering colours and creating reflections. I love the surprise element. As soon as I start trying too hard to get it right or create something in particular the pleasure wanes and the work dulls. Figurative works also inspire me, the body a landscape in itself is wonderful to sketch and sculpt. An added bonus for me is that the doing of art also brings so much to the appreciation of it.