Pastel Floral Paintings

"I was born in Lima on August 22, 1968. I consider myself an artist - better said a painter – as my artistic formation comes from the School of Fine Arts. I've been dedicated to this since 1986. I would describe my work as Neo-Figurative [figuratively modern, as it has a personal style]."

Marita Peña relates that the motivation to create her art is "a vital need, that is to say, to be able to liberate myself, to be able to see life in another form, free of stress." She intends to transmit beauty in various manifestations of color, each work tinged with subtle magic. Her paintings have been exhibited in various galleries in Lima, Peru as well as in the United States.

"After a long time, I began to take my ideas to tapestries," she says. "This is a part of my personal art themes – always seeking the peace and love that motivate my art. Only the material is different, whether it be drawing, sculpture or any other medium – they follow my personal search in art.

"My tapestries are my designs, created with the help of a weaver. I work together with him so that the tones and the spectrum are coherent with my art and to achieve the effect of color on color. I got the idea to work in tapestry because it is an ancient and beautiful technique. However those that are copies, or repeated in series, lose their creative value. I wanted to do something new, something daring, strong, vibrant. I wanted to bring my own themes to this technique and this is how it began. Because I was able to study in the School of Fine Arts, I value the importance of creation. It's like designing a house or a dress – I don't sew it myself but the idea is mine.

"The greatest challenges I face are to live independently and in accordance with what I believe and what makes me feel good. To the clients of Novica I would like to say that the real physical beauty of our people, of our fruits, and of our mythology is surprising, unique and marvelous."