Maria Ivanova

Artist

A self-taught artist from Bulgaria, currently based in the UK.

Deeply influenced by the traditional school and classical watercolour masters, her practice is rooted in close observation, technical precision, and a refined attention to detail.

Drawn to the delicate interplay of light and shadow, Maria works primarily in watercolour, a medium she embraces for its translucency and ethereal, expressive qualities.

Inspired by all forms of art, as well as folklore and human interaction, Maria’s practice shows a deep curiosity about how meaning is shaped through shared stories, gestures, and collective memory.

Her work explores themes of grief, reverence, and the enduring human search for meaning. In her ongoing series of statue paintings, stillness becomes a space for contemplation, inviting the viewer into moments of quiet reflection.

Angel Praying

This statue is located at the Monumental Cemetery of Milan and is approx 130 years old. I was inspired by the dark aesthetic of the cemetery, the artistic expression of deep sorrow and contemplation and the beautiful details of the hands and fabric. All other-worldly creatures and entities have always fascinated me, however, angels have the unique human trait to grieve and yet the deep rooted wish to preserve life and cherish it. Their wings and the proximity to a deity embodies human never-ending quest for transcendence. I used the highly granulating paint Lunar Black by Daniel Smith to depict the cold stone and a subtle gold bronze detailing giving an ethereal presence.

Artwork Title: Angel Praying
Artist: Maria Ivanova
Medium:
Size:
Price: £150
Presentation: framed, ready to display

Waiting For You

Inspired by a 130-year old grave statue located in the Monumental Cemetery of Milan. I used a very restrained colour palette of only Lunar Black by Daniel Smith and Gold bronze powder for a background. The statue was seated behind the headstone of the grave and radiated this consuming sense of sorrow and longing that was utterly heart-breaking. The luminous rich gold background is inspired by the Christian Orthodox icons which I’ve seen in Bulgaria.

Artwork Title: Waiting For You
Artist: Maria Ivanova
Medium:
Size:
Price: £150
Presentation: framed, ready to display