Join us in welcoming Maria Radun, a landscape artist whose works blend realism and expressionism together. Maria’s paintings aim to capture more than just a likeness—they evoke a sense of presence and emotion, encouraging viewers to pause and connect with the stories embedded in the world around them.
How would you explain your artistic style and approach to someone unfamiliar with your work?
My work blends tonal realism with expressive, painterly brushwork inspired by early impressionism. I focus on capturing the essence of my subjects, whether landscapes, still-life, or portraits through deep observation of light, form and atmosphere. This process infuses my paintings with emotion and a sense of connection to the world around me.
Did you follow a formal fine arts education, or are you self-taught?
Before earning my BFA at Monash University, I worked as an illustrator and graphic designer. Art has always been central to my life, drawing, creating, and studying art history have shaped me from an early age. After completing my degree, I continued developing my artistic skills by studying traditional oil painting techniques privately and through online mentorships with various realist painters, local and international. This combination of formal education and self-directed learning has allowed me to refine my technique while staying true to my evolving artistic voice.
Has where you’ve lived influenced your art?
I was born on the shores of the Black Sea in Crimea, and the memories of my childhood there, along with the experience of moving to Australia at age 10, have deeply shaped my artistic perspective. Having lived in many places since, I’m drawn to capturing my immediate surroundings as a way to find grounding and a sense of belonging. Now, living near the ocean on the Mornington Peninsula, I find endless inspiration in the coastal landscapes, the ever-changing sky, shifting weather, and the raw beauty of the natural elements that surround me.
Which mediums do you prefer working with, and what draws you to them?
I am primarily an oil painter, but my studio is filled with sketchbooks and papers covered in watercolour, gouache, acrylics, inks, graphite and charcoal. While I love experimenting with different media, oil painting remains the most rewarding for me. Its versatility allows for endless possibilities, whether in texture, depth, or the way light interacts with the surface. I enjoy pushing the medium further by exploring different surfaces like wood, canvas, aluminium and paper, as well as unconventional application methods, sometimes using anything but a brush. This process of experimentation keeps my work fresh and allows me to continually discover new ways to express myself.
What advice would you give to emerging artists?
Take your art practice seriously, never take yourself too seriously.
