About the Artist

Maria was born in 1960 in a small village called Ísafjörður in Iceland. At the age of 3, she moved with her family to Reykjavik, the country's capital. As a child, Maria would sketch for hours without end and was captivated by the Icelandic horse. Maria showed at an early age a keen eye for detail and was likely influenced by her mother, who was both artistic and had a way with language. Her mother, Gudbjorg Olafsdottir, worked for The Morning Paper (is. Morgunblaðið) creating crossword puzzles, studied Russian, and wrote children's books, some of which she illustrated herself in her younger days. In Maria’s maternal lineage, one can find many talented, yet unrecognized, women who, as a result of the time, didn’t get the full freedom of expression they deserved.

Maria studied Fine Art at the Comprehensive College in Breidholt. Later, she also studied at Reykjavik’s School of Visual Arts. Throughout the years, Maria has lived in many parts of the world, including Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Croatia, and has traveled even further. This experience has greatly influenced her life and art. Now Maria works at Hlutverkasetur rehabilitation center. There, she has taught others art and collaborated with other women artists, including Anna Hendriksdottir and Svafa Einarsdottir. Faced with a wandering spirit and an obsession with art, Maria is constantly continuing her art education and has attended watercolor courses held by the talented Liz Chaderton and Tom Shephard, among others.

Maria’s passion for art has transcended decades and never wavered. She’s a member of the Icelandic Watercolour Association and frequently exhibits her art.