Naperville, IL resident and metal crochet artist, MARITA VALDIZAN, poses with her favorite tools amid her winsome creations. Scroll down to more of her artwork...
Metal crochet artist, Marita, joyfully describes her crochet hook as her “magic wand” leading to new adventures daily from designing wearable art and jewelry to producing mixed media “paintings” that are richly three-dimensional.
Growing up in Peru has influenced her artwork by imbuing it with a rich, cultural heritage of imagery heralding back centuries in legend and lore yet still feels contemporary.
“Every day, I wake up with the thought of creating something unique,” Marita states. “I’m always looking at everything that surrounds me and letting that influence my creativity.”
Using colored copper wire in all sizes, crochet hooks, markers, acrylics, fabric, or molding paste, she visually combines her ingredients guided by her own life experiences and distinct perspective. She also often incorporates Peruvian-based symbolic motifs into her work.
These ancient motifs include: Nazca Lines -- a group of very large geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created between 500 BC and AD 500 by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor; La Chakana—symbols from the original cultures of the Andes dating back more than 4,000 years to the slightly less exotic where she features present day birds of the Amazon.
Although she has enjoyed art since childhood, learning the Peruvian stitch technique directly from its creator, Juan Pacheco, fired up her imagination in entirely new ways. Quickly she realized its versatility and began adapting the technique into mixed media pieces.
As a result, Marita has earned kudos for her work locally and internationally. In Lima, during November 2018, her metal crochet artwork received an award from the Gran Estrella de Plata. The originator of the technique, Juan, himself, credited Marita as the only artist in the world currently using this technique in mixed media application.
Along with recognition and numerous awards, she recently received a first place in the wearable art category from the Crochet Guild of America. Additionally, she has been spotlighted in Volume VI of Today’s Inspired Latina where her chapter begins with her quote:
“We need to see the light in every storm.”
Whether that storm was the pandemic or simply the challenges of everyday life, art remains Marita’s touchstone – helping her grow as both an artist and a person. However, she adds that her values are also firmly rooted in the love she has for her family, and the importance of giving back to the community around her.
To find out more about Marita’s classes, workshops, and where her work can be seen or purchased, click: Marita Valdizan Art (waalay.com)
Scroll down to see more of her artwork.
THE LITTLE BIG BEGINNING, mixed media with wire crochet hand sewn to fabric on canvas. created during Covid-19; 40" x 30". ARTIST STATEMENT: "Several colorful butterflies inside me were growing throughout the years and never came out, but during the pandemic a little one was set free. This is the little big beginning."
FINDING THE LIGHT, mixed media wire crochet on canvas, 20" x 20". ARTIST STATEMENT: "This painting is the result of many ups and downs of my creative process last yeara during the pandemic. I began to crochet more than 150 flowers and several figures and while weaving this I learned the news about Covid-19. When I was almost about to finish the painting, I was looking for the light in me. Drawing the continuous lines seen here gave me the therapy I needed which is why I called it Finding the Light."
SPRING #2; Mix Media Wire Crochet Art on fabric
ARTIST STATEMENT: I crocheted a mesh using the Peruvian Stitch technique to create a support for the landscape. To make the landscape, I pushed through the mesh squares different colors of tulle fabric, layer by layer, for a watercolor impression."
THE LOVELY DREAM OF PACHAMAMA AND THE MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL, Mixed media wire crochet art on canvas, 20" x 20". ARTIST STATEMENT: "I deamt I was the Mother Earth hugging all the beautiful birds and one marvelous Spatuletail -- it flew to me and I protected it like a mother with a baby. When I awoke, I was inspired to create this beautiful and unforgettable scene from my dream."
From Marita's NACZA LINES wearable art collection.
Wearable art -- WHALE.
