We’re looking forward to introducing you to Maria Esswein. Check out our conversation below.
Maria, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is really busy. I teach five art classes Mondays through Fridays between two colleges. Three of the courses have a lot of brand-new material which I try to prep a lot for. It’s very exciting but also makes me anxious. I have been attempting to convert into a morning person, which honestly has been going okay this semester. I also carve out time to work in my studio and create at least three times a week.
On top of it, I have been experimenting with new plant-based recipes from Instagram. So far, most of them have been a success! I am not a vegetarian by any means, but I do love trying new foods. Most normal days I am usually exhausted by the time I go home; so, I try not to stop by until I completed my to-do list. Otherwise, I will lay in bed or scroll on social media until I fall asleep. Basically, I have a lot of planning, driving, and creating that goes on in my day-to-day life. I have begun prioritizing my weekends as “off days” from work (except for studio work). It helps keep me sane.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maria Esswein, and I am an interdisciplinary artist. I received my Master of Fine Art in Intermedia from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2023 and my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture at Southeast Missouri State University in 2020. I primarily work in digital media and ceramics with a focus on gender, the body, and art through a feminist perspective. The art grapples with the ideas and misconceptions I have about sexuality, intimacy, and identity.
Through digital media and ceramic-based mediums, I explore and challenge the set of beliefs and expectations I was indoctrinated in with the metaphorical presence of “ghosts.” Ghosts in pop culture, literature, and media have been an interest in our society, representing several ideas depending on the individual. How we interact with a “ghost” or a past version of ourselves determines whether the experience with this memory was positive, neutral, or negative. I delve into the internal struggles stemming from my upbringing by manifesting these conflicts through apparitions and whimsical, child-like forms. By bringing these internal battles into a physical realm, my art invites viewers to contemplate their own relationships with memory, identity, and the societal constructs that shape us.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Being a perfectionist has definitely served its purpose. I am highly critical of myself in every aspect — my art, my capabilities, and how I interact with people — to the point where I cannot allow myself to make even a small mistake. I’ll torture myself over it for days. It most certainly doesn’t help my anxiety levels.
I will always strive to be the best version of myself and create quality artwork, but that doesn’t mean I need to be infallible to succeed. I have a strong support system that reminds me to “give myself grace” when I do make a mistake. It’s something I am still learning to do, but I’ll get there! Gotta take it a day at a time.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You belong.
It’s never exactly been a secret that I battle depression and anxiety. Like many people, there are ups and downs when dealing with mental health. I tended as a kid to feel alone, unwanted, and misunderstood. Was it necessarily true? No, but my brain would say otherwise.
I coped (and in many cases, I still do) through art. It provided me with an expression to counteract my negative thoughts, process big emotions, and also create worlds where I did “belong.” Finding a support system of people both inside and outside the art community has helped combat the belief that I wasn’t worthy enough or that everyone hates me. I am very grateful for the people in my life who have proven to me time and time again that I do, indeed, belong.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Pretty much. I believe authenticity is crucial in establishing trust with your audience. On social media, many content creators build a certain persona to gain followers. I respect a commitment to the bit, but for me, it can feel tiring. I don’t want anyone to feel disappointed when/if they meet me in person, or that I’d have to box away a huge part of myself to fit others’ expectations. I spent a long time toning myself down for the sake of being accepted, and I would rather just be myself. This is my art, I hope you like my memes, and if not — no problem.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
What I was born to do. I went through a lot of struggles to get to where I am today, and I didn’t let anyone stop me. I started a new life in the middle of a global pandemic, got my master’s, became *mostly* financially independent, I am creating art I love, and spending time with incredible artists. I’ve known I wanted to be an artist since I could hold a pencil. My interests in media have definitely changed over the course of time, but I have never doubted being involved in the arts. It is definitely not an easy path, but one I believe is worthwhile navigating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariaesswein.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: @a_glass_of_esswine
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-esswein/
- Other: Check out my upcoming show with Hector A. Ramirez, “Los Chaneques & The Blobby Boys,” at the TIN Dallas Art Gallery >> https://www.tindallas.com.
Image Credits
Personal Photo Credits to Sheryl Lanzel Photography
