Maria Noonan-McDermott's Profile

From: Ireland
Joined: July 21, 2009

About voicebox:

I come from a very creative background. My mother studied fashion at the Paris Academy in London, so my house was always filled with the most wonderful weird and wacky creations (in fact when I was young and not quite able to speak my mind, I had to endure many an occasion traipsing around in her unusual designs).

My father was a beautiful writer. He sailed the seas as a radio office in the merchant navy, his free time spent at the typewriter composing letters and short stories. When he returned home he filled our heads with all his amazing adventures of journeys around the world, so, it was only natural that I grew up with a passion and appreciation for the Arts.

When I attended secondary school, I was very fortunate to study under an American Artist, Ren Patterson, who obtained a residency at our school in Swinford, Co. Mayo. He was an exceptional man with a great talent. Not only was he a gifted painter, but the way in which he imparted his love of art to his students has stayed with me all my life.

When I finished school, against all odds, I decided to follow in my mother's footsteps and pursue a career in fashion! I started by learning the basics in pattern making with a local design company and then continued my studies in Dublin, where I received my diploma. Unsure that this was the road I wanted to travel, I decided to return to college and complete a course in visual education, to acquaint myself with a fuller understanding of all art forms, before finally attending Magee University to study Fine Art.

It was while at college I discovered 'forum theatre' and later joined a community theatre. There, I was thrown into a world of strange characters where my imagination was encouraged to grow. This, I believe, has given me a deeper insight into human behaviour, which I have, over the years, translated onto canvas.


If you learn to see beyond the mundane, you expose yourself to all the wonders of the world. A child's tears, a mother's gentle kiss, a lover's touch - we never have to look too far...

'My paintings explore these everyday ordinary things that most people take for granted, and strive to recreate these images of beauty onto canvas.'

Maria's work is a reflection of the way she views life. It is about searching for the ultimate statement through colour and form, revealing the inner soul we all possess, spiritual and mysterious.

Her fascination with people, their traits and interactions is echoed in her work through her characteristic use of colour and texture. Her style is distinctly recognisable as she paints with knife, confidently applying layer upon layer, enhancing the quality of light and movement and allowing the texture of the paint to play a key role in the structure of her work.

She currently works from her studio in Co. Leitrim. She has been painting for over twenty years and has contributed successfully to many gallery and public exhibitions throughout her career.

Maria's work is highly original; her creative and imaginative one-off pieces ensure her reputation for innovative and inspiring artwork that is eminently collectable and truly unique.

On show, her paintings demand attention, grip the imagination and reward the curiosity of our senses.