Maureen Vastardis
The major focus of my work is photography and watercolor. The different mediums allow me to express various sensibilities. Photography, for me, is about exploring the abstract qualities in nature and architecture, examining color, shapes and patterns and how they relate, finding an unusual angle, perspective or lighting that will challenge the usual way of viewing.
My subject matter varies as to whatever happens to catch my eye, whether it’s the symmetry and beauty in nature, the lines and design in architecture, the movement of the sea and clouds or the interaction of people in everyday life, I strive to make bold photographic images that will engage
the viewer and take them to those places. Watercolor allows me the freedom to explore the fluidity of the medium, experiment with color
and express my emotional interpretation of various scenes in nature and objects. I hope that people will be inspired, comforted and energized by my work.
My work has been accepted to many juried local and international exhibitions including:
Torrance Art Museum, Long Beach Museum of Art, Oceanside Museum of Art, Long Beach Creative Group Gallery, Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Huntington Beach Art Center, American Society of Media Photographers LA, CA 101 2022 & 2023 Redondo Beach,CA, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece, CIP (Chania International Photography Festival), Crete, Greece, Front Porch Gallery, Carlsbad, CA and Artillery Magazine’s Code Orange. I have also received private commissions for paintings and my work is in collections throughout the US.
Education:
BA Fine Arts, College of Mt. St. Vincent, Riverdale, NY
American Institute for Foreign Study: Rome, Athens
Hudson River Museum: Yonkers, NY (Internship)
Membership Los Angeles Art Association (2020-Present)
Huntington Beach Artist Council (2016 – Present
Long Beach Museum of Art Docent Council (2012 – Present)
South Bay Watercolor Society (2014 – 2018)
Huntington Beach Art League (2014 – 2020)
Residency Cycladic Arts – Paros, Greece May 2024
