Meet Maura Dixon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maura Dixon.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I live in Tempe, Arizona. I grew up in the small, Midwestern town of Warren, OH until I was 18 years old and grew up Irish Catholic. Art has held a special place in my heart starting from a very young age. At about 5 or 6 I was exploring my artistic side by drawing the things that interested me the most. I would collect bugs and draw them out in my backyard, or sometimes I liked to imagine fairies and other mythical creatures inhabiting my backyard and draw what I saw- or what I wanted to see.

I was a child who preferred to play alone and took a liking to music as soon as I got my hands on my older sisters’ late 90s/early 2000s punk rock CDs. I got my first portable CD player one summer when my family drove to Florida and listened to Green Day and Paramore on repeat for hours, drawing pictures to coincide with the lyrics. Music continues to be a huge inspiration for me today.

I felt the most engaged and interested in my art classes in elementary through high school. In high school I discovered the world of graphic novels, starting with Blankets by Craig Thompson. I knew illustration and drawing was my calling after following it up with Charles Burns’ “Black Hole” and falling in love with the intricate ink work and graphic, shocking details. Around this time, I began to struggle with self-image and fitting into the stereotype of a “good Catholic girl.” Growing up as a woman brought its own challenges, combined with the religious/societal expectations, it caused a lot of insecurities and anxiety that made it hard to navigate life at pivotal moments. This constant struggle of becoming comfortable with myself in a restricting environment is what motivates my current work.

I continue to explore these concepts while studying art in my 4th year at ASU as a drawing major.

Please tell us about your art.
My current work explores the struggle of finding oneself and becoming comfortable, not necessarily in your own skin, but in your own head. I pack my drawings with details and imagery from pop culture and relating to “sin” to convey these extremely personal, yet relatable, experiences. I almost always include human figures in hopes to bridge the gap between reality and the art itself. I want to transport the viewer to a specific time or place that uncovers a familiar emotion and encourages deeper thought.

I like when people feel uneasy or a little uncomfortable when they view my work, but I also want them to connect to the work and find certain imagery within the piece to evoke a nostalgic or familiar feeling. My goal is not to necessarily connect to the viewer, but to express these common feelings of discomfort in your own skin or discomfort in your own decisions. Expressing these universally-shared hardships is what should trigger a connection to the piece.

I explore the common struggle of “Catholic guilt” and feeling bad about making “poor” decisions. I portray these concepts either in a satirical or serious light. The viewer connecting to my work is really just a bonus. Creating art is my outlet, and that has always been the main reasoning behind what I do.

I usually spend a few weeks on one single drawing, focusing on the dense, intricate detail. I tend to merge a realistic and surrealistic style to give a dreamy or nostalgic aesthetic.

I put my whole self in everything that I create and allow myself to be vulnerable throughout the process.

My mediums are graphite, red lead, ink, and sometimes watercolor.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
My best advice to those individuals is: find what makes your heart race in your creative practice. It could be a new medium or a new concept that you discover and totally fall in love with. Once you find that inspiration, you will find it hard NOT to focus on your current work! Find what makes you excited about what you’re doing! If you’re not excited or invested in your current practice, it might be time to switch things up!

Finances is also something I struggle with, but I find little jobs and opportunities that make it bearable. Look out for scholarships, residencies, and many other opportunities specific to just artists! Some cities even have apartments specific to artists with low incomes (locals: check out Mesa Artspace Lofts!).

I also work at Blick Art Materials, so having discounted art supplies doesn’t hurt! Look for art related jobs that could help with supplies or making connections!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Follow me on Instagram! @mauradixonart.

I also have a website mauradixon.com.

I don’t have any upcoming exhibitions or shows, but my Instagram is where you can find those updates!

Contact Info:

• Website: mauradixon.com
• Email: maura.dixon@gmail.com
• Instagram: @mauradixonart

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