Maria Grossbaum-Fondler

Maria Grossbaum-Fondler is the artist I'd like to highlight today.  She is a mixed media artist that specializes in thick layers of paint and paste, as well as other elements.  She is inspired by her travels around the world, so her works are amazingly colorful pieces that are full of texture.

I was first drawn to her because of a few of the pieces I saw where she uses modeling paste.  I was beginning to experiment with it myself, and I was having trouble manipulating it.  She so obviously understands the mediums she is using to create her pieces.  Even the cracks that appear in the paste fit perfectly with her work.  

One of the things I struggle with is combining different colors into a cohesive piece, but I have yet to see one of Maria's pieces where the different colors and shades don't work perfectly together. Once she adds her glass and rhinestone elements, the finished piece is breathtaking. 
I've added links to her Facebook page and Etsy shop in the photos above.  Check out her Art Finder shop, too, and let her know what you think of her use of color and texture.