Maria was born in Portugal and qualified as a teacher at The University of Central Lancashire. Maria (also known as Mizá) has held many solo and group exhibitions in Brazil, Portugal and England. She has exhibited at the Brazilian Society of Visual Arts, São Paulo, The Tate Liverpool, at F.A.C.T. and at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
Maria's speciality is painting with oil and acrylics on canvas, but she enjoys working with other media too, such as watercolours, pastels, ink, and mixed media. "I love teaching! I am an optimist, inspired by the impressionists Monet, Renoir and Degas. Like them, I prefer to focus on the joy and beauty in the world. I can't even imagine painting pain, suffering or sadness; that is simply not me. I will teach you artistic and technical skills utilizing various techniques, while motivating and encouraging you to develop your own style."
Maria likes to experiment with a range of materials, media and techniques, but her preferred medium is oil paints. Her artwork is inspired by nature, and her current project – ‘Elements’, is an artistic exploration of climate change, and the effect it has on our natural environment.