Maria Lari

by Zainab Nasir
(Karachi)

Maria Lari - A Budding artist

Your city: Karachi

What drives you? (What makes you so passionate about your work)

Anything around you can be a source of motivation, I think my passion is driven by my love for colors, my urge to be independent and the ecstasy I get after completing an art work.

How did you get here and how long have you been in this profession (or been doing what you do)?

Honestly, I think I have been painting since forever, but professionally I started painting during my art school days. My key influence is definitely my mother, who is an artist as well.

What has been your vision and what do you most love about your work?

I personally think that our daily life somehow reflects our vision and it keeps on changing with time and age. At this point of time, I am more inclined towards becoming a better version of my own self as an artist and as a human.

The best thing about painting is that it lets me discover endless possibilities when I am kind of completely lost and it is my way of relaxing after working as a creative writer in an advertising company during the day.

What do you think is your biggest achievement throughout your professional journey?

I think my biggest achievement is yet to come, but there are a few things that I feel good about. A 21ft long mural painting, a character I introduced named Sahsooh for Panda and HyperPanda stores and the idea concept for the TVC of McDonald’s Pakistan are few of them.

What are your current projects and what do you plan on doing in the near future?

I am looking forward to showcase my work in a group show in Dubai.

A word of advice you would like to pass on to other women struggling with their start-ups?

The first few steps are always difficult, keep walking and you will be running soon, just don’t give up. You might be oblivious to the fact that you are strong, once you get to know this, you will be amazed. Hold your head high and try to build other women around you.