maker: maria of minimalista clothing

Maria loves art. Maria loves literature. Maria loves being creative. And she has combined all her loves into a passion for creating. Together with her husband and kids, she prints awesome images on clothing and accessories. Meet Maria, and her line, Minimalista Clothing.

-Angie

please introduce yourself?

My name is Maria and I live in Anaheim along with my husband and our two boys.  I grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico and in Orange County.  I was a traveling elementary art teacher for eight years and I also taught art to elementary and junior high students at a local children’s museum.  I have always been into art and literature, they are great sources of inspiration.

what do you make or do?

We (my husband and I, and our 10 yr old son, Jusep who has also done designs currently in our shop) make screenprinted clothing and home accessories.  We work as a team creating our designs. We love poets and artists, especially Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali.  We love Dia de los Muertos and Lucha Libre!

where can we find your creations?

You can fine Amy’s designs in her etsy shop, on facebook, instagram, and several shops in the US and Australia, including The Road Less Traveled in Santa Ana, CA!

what obstacles have you had to overcome to lead a creative life?

In regards to screenprinting, we actually learned through a Make Magazine youtube video, and since we didn’t have the money to purchase the professional tools needed to do the job, we improvised and learned through trial and error.  My husband built our screenprinting press out of a cutting board and 2 x 4’s, and it was just this year that we purchased a four color tabletop press. Our first year was definitely A LOT of experimenting, but now we have it down to a science!

did someone in your family, a friend or teacher introduce you to your creative side or have they helped you along the way?

It was in the fifth grade that I discovered my creative side, thanks to my teacher, a nun who was very artistic and she incorporated all arts into her teaching.

where do you find inspiration?

We are inspired by artists, writers, and poets.  We are avid readers and our favorite pastime is to visit bookstores and museums along with our boys.
if money wasn’t an issue how would your life change with regards to your art?
Although we’ve been very blessed this year, and our business has gradually grown, if money wasn’t an issue, we’d definitely be doing this full time!!

what would be your perfect day off?

Spending it at home creating new designs or painting

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2 Comments

  1. Love and own maria’s designs. Ironically just had my first family photo shoot with her Dali scarf. Fab stuff. You should support her unique love of literature and her passion for art education.

    1. hi vanessa!
      i love her work too! she’s captures the feel of something historic and cultural with a modern feel. very hard to pull off, but she does it well 🙂 love that you wore her scarf in your photo shoot!
      -nicole

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