Each painting is my fearless voice on canvas.

The inspiration behind my recent series, "Trees: Totems of Life," has very deep roots. 

 When I was growing up, I had the most difficult time expressing my needs, thoughts, and feelings through words. This became a barrier that lead to a very frustrating and solitary childhood. During this time, my mother introduced me to drawing and painting, which turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. Art saved me because the creative process allowed me to express my thoughts and feelings on paper when I couldn't find the words. Art gave me purpose, and it made me realize I wanted to become a professional fine artist for a living.

Mute by Maria Rizzo

Some of my favorite memories of my childhood are the ones where my mother used to take me for long walks at the park near our home in Carnate, Italy. As the second child of three, I cherished those few special times together with my mom. During those walks, she would tell me all about the trees in the park and together we would collect the very best leaves, take them home and save them between the pages of heavy, old books.

Villa Banfi, Carnate, Milan, Iatly.

Spending quality time with my mother, and hearing about her passion for trees, awakened in me a feeling of deep connection between my life and the lives of trees. 

As an artist, I explore, interpret and express this link on canvas through my current series "Trees: Totems of Life." In this series, painting these trees is painting my life. 

The tree is an emotional sell portrait: it's contorted trunk represents my twisted spine, my scoliosis, which is a severe condition that affects my daily life. The background represents my life's point of view: attitude makes all the difference in life, and focusing on the good things helps me live a better one. Observing nature around the trees - the ocean, the electric blue skies, the shape of clouds and being mesmerized by the sight of a beautiful full moon - gives me a sense of contentment, peace and inner joy. 

 The same feelings arise when I paint these elements on canvas.  

With each painting I allow myself to express my needs, thoughts, and feelings through the life of these trees as they exist in nature; each painting is my fearless voice on canvas.

                                                                                -Maria Rizzo