Featured image: Precarious Balance, Maria Ruggiero, 2020, watercolor on paper, 23 x 19 in. / 58.42 x 48.26 cm.
Maria Ruggiero’s watercolor paintings are an exploration of nature, memory, and composition, each brimming with intricate details and vivid colors.
Maria Ruggiero is a watercolor artist known for her vibrant still lifes, where nature, memory, and intricate details intertwine to create striking visual compositions.
Her works blend elements of still life with a sense of movement, capturing fleeting moments of beauty and nostalgia. Ruggiero weaves together organic forms, personal artifacts, and rich textures, inviting viewers into a world where the boundaries between reality and artistic interpretation blur.
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Pairings and Divisions, Maria Ruggiero, 2022, watercolor on paper, 22 x 30 in. / 55.88 x 76.2 cm.
Pairings and Divisions is a mesmerizing composition that juxtaposes lush greenery with marine elements. The painting features delicate orchids entwined with oceanic motifs, such as fish and shells, creating a striking interplay between land and sea. The detailed rendering of natural textures, from the sheen of the leaves to the transparency of water, showcases Ruggiero’s technical mastery. This piece speaks to the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the way natural elements coexist despite their differences.
Cascade, Maria Ruggiero, 2024, watercolor on paper, 30 x 22 in. / 76.2 x 55.88 cm.
Bursting with radiant hues and dynamic forms, Cascade presents an explosion of tropical flora. The painting's energetic brushwork and carefully curated color palette bring to life the fiery reds and deep purples of exotic flowers. Interwoven with the botanical elements are ripe fruits, suggesting themes of abundance and the vibrancy of life. The intricate layering of textures and the interplay of light and shadow give the piece a dreamlike quality, emphasizing Ruggiero’s ability to capture movement within a still-life setting.
Mementos, Maria Ruggiero, 2021, watercolor on paper, 15 x 20 in. / 38.1 x 50.8 cm.
In Mementos, Ruggiero presents a delicate arrangement of objects, food, and floral elements that evoke a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the simple moments in life. Plates filled with intricate pastries, smooth eggs, and fresh flowers suggest a moment of quiet reflection, while the soft diffusion of light adds warmth to the composition. The meticulous attention to detail, from the crisp folds of the napkins to the glossy surfaces of fruits, highlights Ruggiero’s skill in elevating the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Ruggiero’s works are an invitation to pause and appreciate the richness of the world around us. Through her masterful use of watercolors, she transforms everyday scenes into vibrant celebrations of nature and memory. Each painting resonates with themes of connection, nostalgia, and the beauty of fleeting moments, making her work both visually captivating and deeply evocative.
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Pieces of Time, Maria Ruggiero, 2023, watercolor on paper, 20 x 15 in. / 50.8 x 38.1 cm.
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