Meet Maura Trice | Photographer and artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maura Trice and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maura, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
We all reach a point sometimes where our dreams may feel too big and unachievable. Should I continue investing time and money, juggling my physical and mental energy between family, business, household chores, and perhaps more than one job to pursue my aspirations?

In my case, the answer has always been ‘Yes!’ I believe that moments of self-doubt can be seen as a chance to pause and reassess. We need to clearly understand where we are going to learn how to get there. A clear, achievable, and measurable plan is what makes the difference between taking a stroll in the park and leading a paid exploration trip in the jungle.

Personally, I had to learn how to balance my insatiable drive to improve and learn with the fear of not being good enough, of not feeling ready. I had to accept failure as part of the process, understanding that not all my creations could be the masterpieces I wanted them to be. I pushed myself to dedicate energy to aspects of my business that were harder for me, such as networking, social media presence, and checks and balances. I am still learning.

I believe that passion fuels all projects. Passion encourages us to keep going, but it has to be supported by a plan. That’s what turns a hobby into a business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Discovery and inspiration are the main pillars of my artwork. We evolve and change throughout our lives, and our art changes with us. I enjoy experimenting with various media, mixing them together, including paint, photography, woodwork, and digital art. These are all different ways I use to express myself.

My ultimate goal is to convey my vision of the world. Creating art helped me realize that I’ve never lost my fascination for what surrounds me, whether it’s people, buildings, or even mushrooms. Understanding that our point of view is subjective opens us up to accepting our differences. If we all thought, spoke, and acted the same way, the world would certainly be a dull place to live. I aim to use my art as a medium to convey a message of acceptance, both for ourselves and others.

I recently completed a project called ‘More Than A Body,’ which focused on women. Currently, I am in the process of developing two new projects. One centers around the Lumbee population of North Carolina, while the other focuses on first-generation Italian immigrants.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I moved to North Carolina in 2017, and I’ve consistently been surprised by how frequently I come across references to it in movies or books. When my parents came to visit, we took them to see the downtown area of Fayetteville, with its charming small stores, art galleries, and restaurants. We showed them Edgar Allan Poe’s house and the Raeford-Hoke Museum, a two-story house that seems frozen in time.

Downtown Raleigh is incredibly relaxing for me, striking a perfect balance between greenery and modern buildings. We particularly enjoyed Whiskey Kitchen, both for its delicious food and the captivating art on the walls.

I love the NoDa neighborhood in Charlotte, where old factories and warehouses have been repurposed into art galleries and cafes, not to mention the vibrant Optimist Hall food court.

Asheville is a must-visit with its vibrant art district, numerous breweries, and a plethora of outdoor activities to choose from.

I don’t think a week-long trip would be enough

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband is the person who supports me while keeping me grounded. He’s my greatest fan, the first person I turn to when I want to bounce off ideas. While we might not always see eye to eye, I believe that these differences in views help me see things from a different perspective.

My parents and my brother have also always been extremely supportive, even now that we live in different countries. I always send them photos of my artwork to see what they think, and every time, I receive very different feedback. Each one contributes with their own particular set of skills.

Website: www.mauraartphotography.com

Instagram: maura_trice_art

Facebook: Maura Trice Art

Image Credits
Maura Art Photography