MARIA E. GOLLEK (Mixed media fibre artist)

6 Thomas Street

Coniston, ON

P0M 1M0

249-360-5003

CONTACT ARTIST

I aspire to inspire, before I expire.

I had an amazing 2025 summer being a part of Killarney Art & Gifts, curator/ artist Gillian Schultze. Being an active member of the Northern Artists Gallery, Sudbury Art Club, Sudbury Art Council has expanded my horizon.

Art is a journey, an emotional one. Maria is inspired by the natural world: rocks, wind, sunlight, moon shadows, water and the trees. Taking these visuals, she inspires herself to create art that elicits an emotional response.

Maria grew up in Waterloo, Ontario and along the shorelines of Lake Huron. She took fine art throughout high school, and obtained a Minor in Fine Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University. At the age of 16 she was introduced to traditional cross stitching. Accompanied by her camera and a newly acquired drivers license the great outdoors become an avenue of exploration. This designing component took her to the USA, Bermuda, England and Australia. But, the call of the northern Ontario insisted on being heard: the rocks, water, wind, trees and waves. The need to step away from the traditional and explore the creative 'other' side was nudging. From Port Severn on she felt as though she was coming home: visiting the parks, hiking, road trips and visiting friends, first on her motorcycle, then in the car with her dogs.

In 2021 she took the plunge and moved to Coniston. Finally, she was home. Community, the land, friends and family embraced her. She could finally breathe. And so, she stepped into a wonderful world, expressing this happiness/love through the threads at her fingertips, guided by inspiration, and adding sparkle.

Stitched by hand, designed with heart and touched by an angel.

Information on each piece:
ART SIZE 7.5 x 5.5 in.
MATERIAL: silk, cotton, metallic and specialty threads, beads and/or stone chips, pearls
HAND STITCHING TIME 45-60 hours for each piece.