Oh man the things that I could say about Maria*Grace Abuzman and her art...refreshing, colorful and full of light being a few. When I look at her creations I instantly become inspired...and when you meet her in real life she's like a fresh jolt of energy that leaves you smiling for days. Amazing, that's what Maria*Grace is in a word. She's got a style that is all her own, and takes photos that tell an entire story without saying a word.
I was so excited when MG e-mailed me back and agreed to be on the Cartwheels team...because she will be bringing a completely different perspective to the table, and that's what we're all about!
First, let's check out Maria' favorite art project right now:
Maria says:This is a sample of the Thank You card I create for all my clients:
photo from their session + logo button + heartfelt message from me.
And I'm so excited to share Maria*Grace's debut back into the world of scrapbook layout sharing...because I don't know about you, but I've missed seeing her work out there! Scroll down to see all her introduction art, and what she has to share about each one as well as herself:
MG: Created in about 5 mins. I love when a layout comes together!!
This is the first layout I'm sharing with the public in nearly 2 years.
Feels good to be back. :)
For this layout, it was all about the details.
Next, her art space...SO Maria*Grace!:
MG: I don't have an art studio/creative space except for my little corner at
the dining room table where I proof photos and jot down ideas in my
polkadot notebook while sipping on my favorite pomegranate tea. :)
Her favorite bit of decorating:
MG: Sharing my shelves of fun. I like mixing up all sorts of inspiration
pieces together, from graphic design and scrapbooking books, supplies
like the bowl of buttons, found items, canvases, etc, etc. I know,
then, when I'm in a funk, there's a place I can go to get a dose of the
good stuff.
MG: And my favorite right now, the little jeepney figurine from a trip to
the Philippines. So much color in such a small toy!
MG: Buttons!! I had so many from different sets sent to me by manufacturers
that I decided to put them all together in this fun cake bowl. :)
MG: ...so I keep nearly all my supplies but tools in giant ziplock pouches
to ensure that (1) my supplies are readily visible and they don't get
lost when stored somewhere and (2) I can be instantly creative by simply
selecting one pouch and going at it. I can be more creative this way,
forcing myself to only the items in that pouch.
MG: I'm a pretty disorganized person. I'm the kind that leaves my supplies
all over me...
And for our last share...it wouldn't be a Maria*Grace post without a photo. This is MG's favorite photo right now:
MG: Taken in front of the Ferry Building in San Francisco. I love street
performers. I can watch them all day. And for this visit, I was
totally digging this guy's message.
And her answers to the questions I sent to the team:
confession time: tell me something about you that you don't always feel
proud to shout from the rooftops. More often than not I’d like I feel invisible. Just like high school all
over again. I can’t get past that insecure teenage-side of myself.
If you could meet anyone on tv right now (in character or as a person)
who would it be? and why? Michael Scott. Because I really, really want to work as the
receptionist for the Dunder-Mifflin Scranton branch.
What is your favorite color? Yellow - bright, sunshiny, buttery, mellow yellow.
Tell us an embarrassing story that happened to you not long ago: I missed a good friend’s birthday. Again. For the 5th year in a row
even though I've told myself every year to put it on my calendar so I
wouldn't forget. And he's always remembered my birthday.
What's one act of fashion that you would love to be able to pull off but
feel you can't? Halter tops. I’d love to try to wear a halter top, but my body just
rebels against the thought.
What would the soundtrack of your life sound like? The Roots putting down mad beats for me and making everything I say
into lyrical poetry.
If you could have 1 magical power what would it be? To fly. I dream of soaring through the clouds.
If you could live any movie, which one would it be? "You’ve Got Mail!” my most favorite movie ever! I want to fall in
love with Tom Hanks and own my own children’s bookstore.
If you could only talk to one other living person for the rest of your
life, who would it be? My mom. Conversations with her will guarantee laughter, sorrow,
joy, and love - everything that life should be about.
So so excited to have Maria*Grace on the cartwheels team...she'll be doing weekly challenges as well as writing about how to get inspired and bringing you cool fonts. Can't wait to see what she has in store...but in the meantime I'm just glad she's here. :)
xo, Cheryl