about

MariaVillioti photo
The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.
Pablo Picasso

Maria was born in the small historic island of Salamis, nested away in the inlet of the Saronic Gulf. Now she lives in Athens, Greece. She is married and mother of a boy. She studied fashion design and freehand drawing.  Although she occasionally works with acrylics and oils, her favorite mediums are colored pencils and graphite.

She has participated in many joint exhibitions in Greece, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Italy. Maria has four solo exhibitions in Athens, Zakynthos, Chania, and Thessaloniki, Greece. She teaches pencil techniques to adults and organizes workshops throughout Greece.

She loves realism and her artwork includes portraits, still lifes, cityscapes and landscapes.

She is silver signature member of UKCPS, member of CPSA, member of International Guild of Realism, member of Portrait Society of America and also member of Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece.

My love for colored pencils started many years ago. I adore this medium for the opportunity it gives me to express realistic images in my projects. My inspiration comes mainly from human beings and nature. I love to paint expressive faces and focuses on the glance.

What also fascinates me is to share my knowledge and joy of painting with other people. That is why I chose to teach my techniques.

I create portrait commissions with graphite, colored pencils or pastel from photos and can ship all over the world.
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