Meet Maria Ahmad | Artist, Crafter, & Artisan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Ahmad and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
I highly value curiosity. I think one of the most important parts of being a creative is having a childlike sense of wonder. Being curious about everything and constantly learning about new things builds your imagination and keeps your inspiration from running out. I believe that some of my best ideas have come out of having a childlike sense of wonder. As we grow older, we tend to lose our sense of curiosity and we become cynical and uninterested in things. Connecting to your inner child is one of the key things about being a creative and you’re sure to keep your creativity fresh by being curious.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been an artist since I was 5 years old. I’ve drawn, painted, and sketched ever since. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been inspired by the creative community in Atlanta and I’ve expanded my art-pertise to mixed media, fiber arts, decoupage, and origami. Like many, many artists, my journey has not been as simple or straightforward as I make it to be on my art page. Being an artist, I’ve learned that there are many trials and disappointment to overcome, such as accepting that fact that some forms of art are just not meant for you. Some forms of art will come easier to you than others. As part of my artistic vision is exploring as many art forms possible, I’ve dabbled in many unsuccessful ventures like spraypainting, working with clay, and painting with oils, watercolors, and acrylics. I’ve also learned that even though it is important to have faith in yourself, it is equally critical to swallow your pride and take criticism from those more experienced than you. As an artist, you have to be used to dealing with rejection and dealing with rejection gracefully can be a quite a challenge. Living in a world with social media and open access to fellow artists’ portfolios, it is very easy to become overstimulated and overwhelmed. It’s so easy to look at your favorite art page on Instagram and think that you’ll never be as “good” as your favorite artist. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. People rarely show their drafts, rejects, or abandoned works and that’s also something that people don’t think about as they compare themselves to “better” artists. When I tell people about my insecurities as an artist, they’re shocked and taken aback. It doesn’t matter if they’re an amateur or an expert, at some point in their lives, every artist has been guilty of falling into the comparison trap. It is important to remember that every artist, regardless of skill level, started out as a beginner. I think one of the things I’m most proud about in my creative journey is my sheer willpower and unwillingness to give up. Yes, I’ve abandoned trying to spray paint graffiti and learning how to paint. Learning a new skill like crochet makes me want to tear my hair out and throw things out the window. Despite all trials and tribulations, I’ve never given up my identity as an artist and as a creator. Every time I lose hope and run out of inspiration, I find a new art form to take on and new ways to wow myself. Another thing I take pride in is my sense of curiosity. I always keep my eyes and ears open for new opportunities. Whether it’s an art exhibit, craft show, or even a sale at a craft show, I always look for opportunities to sharpen my skills, increase my visibility, and gain more experience in the art world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As someone who is always driving and exploring new places, I would have the hardest time to decide where to go in this scenario! I love old, historic downtowns, so I would strongly recommend visiting historic Roswell. It’s the perfect mix of antique and modern! It’s beautiful and picturesque and if you look around closely, you might see people driving around in 1930s-era cars in pristine condition! Historic Roswell has so much to offer, like cute little cafes and eateries, several art galleries, a couple of antique shops, and even an oldschool record store! I’m sure that there’s a museum or two somewhere in the area as well. It would take me a week to fully digest everything Historic Roswell offers. The antique shops are my go-to! I delight in looking at old-school cars (one shop features an original 1914 Model T Ford car!), original Kodak cameras and functional typewriters, vintage clothing and fashions, the majestic handcarved wooden furniture that have stood the test of time, and the little odds and ends you don’t really know the uses of. Antique shops tend to have handmade wares crafted by local artists, so be sure to pick up a handmade soap or hat while you’re there! My favorite place to eat in Historic Roswell is this rock-music themed Tex Mex restaurant called Rock n Taco. As a lover of rock music, I find myself jamming to whatever song that’s playing and they even offer live music during weekend nights. The food is just as awesome as the surroundings—my personal recommendations are the Calabash shrimp tacos with Ceviche, served with the Pour Some Cinnamon Sugar on Me, which is icecream served in a cinnamon sugar-dusted tortilla bowl! I’m salivating just talking about it! Roswell is a hub for local festivals celebrating its rich history, music, and arts! It hosts festivals year-round. One of my personal goals is to be a vendor at the Roswell Spring Arts Festival, which is held in May. Maybe next year!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to acknowledge the support, kindness, and love that my friends have offered me. From gifting me with supplies, to supporting my business, to helping me become the best version of myself. From proposing suggestions, to keeping my spirits up, to promoting my ventures to encouraging me to never give up. I am indebted to their numerous kindnesses and love. MarsBarsArt wouldn’t be what it is without everything my friends have had to offer.

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