Interview by Jimon

1-What is your earliest childhood memory of making art?  At around age 5. Feeling very happy, while playing with colored construction papers, Elmers glue and scissors.

2-Where did you grow up and how did that affect you as an artist?  I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, in Los Angeles. It was very homogeneous and isolating and I wasn’t encouraged by my parents to pursue art. It was then that the urge to escape, to be heard and to express myself came about. Something that I only understood many years later. That urge, was what sent me on my path to becoming an artist.

3-What did your path to becoming an artist look like?  I’ve always been drawing, painting and collaging, but finally at age 40, I quit my job and decided to become a full-time artist. I then went on to finish enough canvases to fill my entire house. I spent a total of 7 years painting and repainting and collaging over and over the same canvases until I felt that I was ready to show my work. Through serendipity, an art advisor came to my studio who happened to be looking for a Los Angeles artist for a project. I was lucky enough to be chosen to be part of a commission for the newly remodeled Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, in 2015. Those were the first artworks that I ever sold; I was 48. It was the first time I finally felt the right to call myself an artist. I went on to emailing dozens of galleries seeking representation, started an Instagram account, and little by little built my new career.

4-Where do you currently live and create?  I live in Santa Monica, California, with my husband and 3 daughters and have a studio in the house. The abundance of natural light and ocean breeze are a constant source of inspiration.

5-How would you describe yourself as an artist?  I’m very disciplined, and feel fortunate to be able to work on my art 7 days a week. When I’m working, I’m fully immersed and focused. It’s easy for me to lose myself in my work. 

6-Do you have motto on how to live life?  Try to think only positive thoughts and find something good in every day.

7-How is your identity reflected in your art?  I’m always drawn to calm places. I love color and I’m very exact and meticulous.

8-What influences you as an artist? The exploration of new tones, new volumes, shapes, lines, textures and how they all fit together.

9-Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration? I enjoy going to museums and galleries. I’m also fascinated by modern architecture and minimalism, in all their forms of expression.

10-When you are not painting where would someone find you? In the backyard, sitting in the sun, with and orange and a cup of tea.

11-If a movie was to be made about your life, where would it ideally take place and who would be the actor playing your part? It would take place in Procida, a tiny island off the coast of Naples, Italy, which is one of my favorite places. And of course it would be played by Cate Blanchett.

12-How do you describe success as an artist?  Being able to do what I love for a living. 

13-Name three things you can’t live without in your studio?  Natural light, audiobooks and my green tea.

14-If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table?  Carmen Herrera, Amy Sillman and Brian Harte.

15-How would someone find you on Social media? Instagram: maura_segal