Commonwheel Artists Co-op

ESTABLISHED 1974

Artist Statement:
My favorite photo of myself taken of me playing in the sand when I was around 3 years old says it all: I am happiest when I have my hands immersed in the elements of the earth. In mid-life, I still love getting my hands dirty but have graduated to the more alpine materials of silver, gold, charcoal and marble. For me, the conception and execution of artistic ideas is spiritual practice, a kind of strategy for understanding. It is my joy to live in the Colorado Rockies and make art out of the substance of mountains. I love the way images impact our whole self, and the mysterious, intricate ways that images constantly germinate in us, take form, then enlighten and provoke us to further thought and perpetual image-making.

Though I was born in the U.S., I’ve enjoyed extended periods of time in Spain, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, earning B.A and M.A. degrees along the way. The Orient I’ve not yet seen, but its spirit seems to exert a strong stylistic influence on my designs which reflect an affinity for water as a symbolic element, and a distilled Zen-like essentiality.

I work in three divergent technical media: silver and gold smithing, life drawing, and marble carving, with an emphasis in each of these on the human figure as a central tool of expression. The name of my business, inspired by years of classical guitar study, is Études, that is, “studies” of life with a contemplative, international perspective.
In this spirit I welcome extraordinary custom projects for both women and men and offer clients an intuitive, collaborative design process that seeks to find the precise statement of identity sought by each individual.

Shows & Exhibitions:
Maria has exhibited works in juried gallery exhibits and fine art festivals throughout the region since 1996. These include juried shows at the Commonwheel Artist Cooperative, the Cottonwood Artists’ School, a one-woman show at the Colorado Springs Airport, galleries and juried shows in Cherry Creek Denver, Durango, Central City, and Salida. She is currently represented by the Commonwheel Artists’ Cooperative in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, Colorado, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

MARIA BATTISTA

“Titanium Ikebana” pendant & earrings, sterling, tanzanite, titanium-encrusted Brazilian agate

“White Bird Flashes Wings” Pendant, 14k, topaz

“Wisdom’s Web” pendant, 14k, sterling, jasper, garnet

“New Wave” bracelet, sterling, boulder opal

“Autumn Ikebana” earrings, sterling, moonstone, onyx, Montana agate

Chalice, sterling silver

“Iguazú” pendant, sterling, apatite, chrysocolla, pearl, rainbow hematite, garnet

“Petroglyphs” earrings, 14k, sterling, Brazilian agate drusy, Australian opal, topaz