Artist Maria Rendón

Ada Nwonukwue
Jul 23
3 min read

María Rendón (b. 1965, Mexico City, Mexico) lives and works in Santa Barbara, California. She received her MFA from University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), and her BFA from ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena CA. Her paintings and installations have been exhibited at California State Long Beach, Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara, HeyThere Projects in Joshua Tree, Rio Hondo College, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Atkinson Gallery at Santa Barbara Community College, Art Design and Architecture Museum at UCSB, Glass Box Gallery at UCSB, Santa Barbara Museum of Art at McCormick House. She has taught at ArtCenter College of Design and University of California Santa Barbara. Her work is featured in New American Paintings #123, Graphis #355 and Taschen’s book, “Illustration Now”.

Solo Exhibitions -

2024 Holy Water, Sullivan Goss Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA

2023 At Daybreak II, Korean Craft and Design Foundation, Seoul, Korea

2021 Rain, Sullivan Goss Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA 

2020 But Only So An Hour, HeyThere Projects, Joshua Tree, CA

2015 Missing Rib, Atkinson Gallery, at Santa Barbara CC, Santa Barbara, CA 

2014 ALTER / MFA Thesis Show, Art, Design& Architecture Museum, UC Santa Barbara, CA

"The thread that connects my paintings and works on paper is that they originate from a specific reference; a memory, a photo, or words, but are transformed by recollections, struggle, and the process of painting. Sometimes they assert themselves quickly but more often, they go through a good amount of uncertainty. I don’t abandon them, I step back and wait until they reveal my next move. I believe that paint (in conjunction with water) has the capacity to reveal a sense of history. I want my paintings to carry the passing of time; ultimately to be quietly powerful, and be open to interpretation."

Tell us a little about yourself (where you are from) and your background in the arts.

I was born and raised in Mexico City, where I went to college to study graphic design. I worked there for a couple of years until I decided to go to Art Center in Pasadena to study illustration and painting. I worked as an illustrator for many years mostly working on editorial projects but was always making personal work.

Recently I went back to school at University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) where I finished my MFA in painting. As an illustrator I was telling someone else’s stories and as a painter I get to tell my own.

What kind of work are you currently making?

I am making paintings and works on paper that originate from a specific reference; a memory, a photo, or words, but are transformed by recollections, struggle, and the process of painting. I mine photos I take, as well as pictures I found in a trunk that belonged to my great aunt; of a flood that took place in 1955 in the city of Tampico, which is the city where my father grew up.

Floods are a significant concern, especially in California, where I currently live. I use rain that I've collected since 2018 and consider it to be an important material in my paintings.

What is a day like in the studio for you?

I usually get in the studio at 11am. I have several areas designated to different practices; works on paper, paintings on panel, reading, and where I also do some drawing. I work on multiple pieces at the same time. The way I make my works on paper is very different than my paintings on panel but by working on them in tandem they end up informing each other.

What are you looking at right now and/or reading?

Last Sunday I saw the paintings by Noah Davis at the Hammer Museum. I was very moved by them, in particular "Painting for My Dad", 2011. It is such a strong painting and I love how effortlessly it is made. I had a hard time stepping away from it.

I recently read "Fierce Poise" on Helen Frankenthaler. She trusted the power of paint, which is something I think about, especially since I work with liquid paint. I also relate to the fact that her paintings are inspired by nature, which is information revealed in her titles.

I have a practice of walking the same path every day. My paintings often reference things I see and experience during those walks, usually in ambiguous ways.

Where can we find more of your work? (ex. website/insta/gallery/upcoming shows)

Website: www.mariarendon.net

https://www.sullivangoss.com/artists/maria-rendon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariarendon03/