About Maria Paula

I was born in La Chorrera, a small town in the Republic of Panama. I studied Economics at the University of Panama and worked in Energy Planning for more than 10 years.

In 1989, after I married my husband Edward, we moved to New York City and a totally new adventure begins for me and my family.

I began to work in the insurance industry, and the reality is that I was not having any fun doing it.  So, I decided to take art classes in the “Fashion Institute of Technology” and a new world just opened for me.

I took classes in drawing, painting and sculpting. I felt alive and vibrant.

I studied painting with the painter Richard Pitt and sculpture with the sculptor Jerry Luisi.   Later, I transferred to the “Art Students League” where I continued to study sculpture with Jonathan Schramm.

In 1999, we move to Puerto Rico and I transferred to “Escuela de Artes Plasticas de Puerto Rico”, where for 2 years I studied painting and sculpture.  I have the good fortune to cross paths with Melquiades Rosario, who taught me more about sculpture, and Angel Nevarez, who taught me more about painting and really motivated me to keep growing and expanding. 

In the year 2000, I had my first show, a collective exposition “Divas y Otros Mitos” or Divas and Other Myths that took place in the Carnegie Library in San Juan.

In 2001, I had my first solo show denominated “Transformacion” or Transformation in the Café Berlin gallery.  This show was a success and I was extremely happy, satisfied and motivated to keep going.

I continued painting and for sculpture, I choose clay as my medium. In 2001, I began classes with the potters Cecile Molina and Aileen Castanedas until 2009, when I come back to New York.

In March of 2004, I had the opportunity to exhibit my work in my country in the Mery Palma’s Gallery in the Sheraton Hotel.  The show was called “Mi Vision” or My Vision. Not only did it include paintings but also jewelry, that I had begun to design. In the following year, I was invited to show my work in the Gallery of the National Bank of Panama, with a show called “Emociones y Sentimientos” or Emotions and Feelings.

One of my paintings was selected for the Gallery’s permanent collection.

After, a long hiatus due to illness in my family, I am back with renewed energy and commitment to my art, and I am clear that it is my source of strength and energy.