Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and immigrating to the US in 1969, painter Maria Bertrán received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri followed by studies in figurative drawing in Paris, France. She relocated to Laguna Beach, California in 1980.

Painting entirely on location or from live subjects, Bertrán works tirelessly to capture the moment in front of her. Over the years Bertran’s work has evolved as she adds more texture and paint to her surfaces. She has pushed the limits of the canvas, applying thick amounts of paint to areas in order to accentuate a feature of the scene in front of her. 

Her relentless pursuit of capturing light through her work has taken her to places in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the South Pacific, and across the United States. Her paintings clearly broadcast her passionate appreciation for the beauty around her as she constantly seeks the perfect location for her next canvas. 

Bertrán has had successful exhibitions in the United States, in her native country of Venezuela, and in France; her work is in private collections on six continents. She currently splits her time between her studios in Provence, France and in Laguna Beach, California. 

“For me painting is my happy place, and it is technical but also emotional. It is color and joy, and I hope to share these feelings with as many people as possible through my art.”