About the Artist
Maria Elena is a world-renowned visual artist who has devoted her talent
to painting Mexican cultural themes for more than fifty years. She lived in
places like the beautiful provincial city of Cuernavaca (24 years) and the
exotic port-city of Acapulco (14 years,) where she always found plenty of material
from which to draw inspiration. Completely self-taught, she is one of the leading women
painters of Mexico. Her art is displayed in prominent private and public collections,
galleries and museums world-wide. From Asia to Europe, North, Central and South America,
with most collections residing in the United States and Mexico.
Maria Elena (born Mary Ellin Mahoney,only daughter of Will Mahoney, legendary star of
Vaudeville and Musical Comedy on three continents), an American citizen, arrived in
Mexico in 1958, a widow, with two sons, 2 and 4 years old. She re-married four years
later and had two more sons, both Mexican. When she came over the mountains to see the
City of Cuernavaca laid out below, she knew she had come home. Every night she dreams
that she is back in Cuernavaca.
Shortly after arriving in Cuernavaca, she began painting about Mexican cultural
traditions, and has never stopped. Her art is her way of keeping her experiences
of Mexico alive. She paints Mexico the way it was--the fiestas, the traditions
and celebrations, the courageous and kind people, the splendid mercados, and the vivid
colors everywhere. Her paintings are simultaneously realistic, impressionistic and naive,
while portraying the distinct flavor of Latin America. Through her art, Maria Elena
actively promotes Mexican cultural traditions
In 1985, the Mexican Government awarded her permanent residency status and declared her
an official Mexican "National Treasure", honoring her lifetime of
living in, and painting Mexico. Maria Elena painted the portraits of five Mexican
presidents. The people of Mexico were always good to her. Everybody called her
"Maestra", and chided her about her being a "Mexicana de
Corazon."
More recently, major Latino Festivals in the United States have used her art images to
promote their non-profit drives and fundraisers, and for advertising and publicity.
Maria Elena's art is available for purchase as watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings.
Available too are limited edition prints, posters and greeting cards.
Maria Elena now lives in Cottage Grove, Oregon, USA, to be near her family.
She is active in promoting Mexican culture and painting Mexican themes.
See a list of Exhibits
and Collectors.
Contact Information:
Maria Elena
1955 West Harrison Ave.
Cottage Grove, OR 97424 USA
Phone: (541) 942-0371
email:maria.elena@juno.com
Website: www.MariaElenasMexico.com
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