Maria's interest in the arts began at the age of six with the violin. From preschool to college, she has played in numerous chamber groups, symphonies, and has performed solo works. Although Maria's interest in visual arts was active growing-up, her focus was on playing violin whenever she could. During college years Maria took an abundance of fine art courses from drawing to painting. Over the years Maria has studied with professional artists such as: Berkeley Chappell, Pam Ingalls, and Sandra Brooke.

Maria began painting during her Bachelor's degree in Fine Art and Music from her home town university in Corvallis, Oregon. Despite having begun to experience the thrill of the brush, she told herself that this would not be a practical career. She began thinking of what else could be a good job that would let her work with her hands and be creative.

Maria’s music ventured back into her life as she enrolled in the music instrument repair program in Renton Washington’s technical college where she earned a Certificate of Completion in Music Instrument Repair. She continued this path for the next 4 years until  repair became mundane and tedious. Again Maria found herself sitting wondering what to do next: it was answered by a gift of an easel and art supplies.  So Maria decided to hang-up her screw-drivers and pick-up the brush once again.

 Maria resides in Somerville, Massachusetts, and is currently a member of the Salem Art Association, Concord Art Association, Lynnarts Association and participates in Somerville Open Studios yearly. Along with appearing on the Boston and Cambridge Neighborhood Network program, Maria has won juror’s choice award, has been featured in Art New England magazine and published in Hooked on painting by Sandra Brooke.