Maria Hancock is an emerging botanical artist based in Westchester, New York

Artist’s Statement

I was born in the soft breeze of the Mediterranean Hills, in the southeast of Spain, where the light has a particular iridescent quality that makes everything come alive. The dryness in the area makes plants exquisitely fragrant, and my first memories are wrapped around the smell of chamomile, rosemary and thyme flowers in the spring. As an artist, I try to capture these foregone images in my drawings. My favorite medium is graphite, colored pencil and watercolor, although I also like the drama of ink, and use it whenever possible. My art is mostly focused on plants that thrive in hostile and difficult conditions, as they remind me of the stoic quest of humanity to survive and overcome life challenges. These remarkable plants give me hope that  we will be able to adapt to climate change and do well.