Even when creating with great intensity, Scottish artist Mandy Maria manages to retain a sense of softness, in striking contrast to the rough scenes and landscapes she creates.

Mandy Maria has lived in Glasgow for the past 20 years. But growing up in northeastern Scotland remains with her and continues to inspire her as an artist: “I had so much spectacular countryside very close to home. I’ve always loved climbing mountains. Where I grew up, it wasn’t long before I was in the Cairngorms. That was part of my childhood.”

She worked in the design industry for many years, but, as she says, returning to painting is where she can truly express her soul. Mandy Maria’s design background has long influenced her work, but recently she has found herself drawn to a more similar process.

Color is often the starting point for Mandy Maria’s creative process, making it seem the perfect place to explore her newfound fascination with analog processes: “Painting with pure pigments is exciting! I’m passionate about creating my own pigments from minerals gathered on sketching trips. Painting mountains with mountains.”

Because of the weather, “I can’t stay focused for long. I move quickly from one idea to the next, so I have to work quickly,” Mandy Maria said. This was something she had long struggled with, as she dreamed of spending more time on each work. “But that’s not me. If I think for too long, I end up ruining a piece, or I simply lose interest.”

It took Mandy Maria some time to trust her own marks and know when to stop. That ability is proving especially useful as she hopes to work outdoors more often: “In an unpredictable climate, speed is essential. The pastels I use are very fragile, and their contrast with the rugged scenes I create produces a lovely interaction,” she explains, adding, “It's about finding softness in something so hard and unwelcoming.”

Ultimately, Mandy Maria hopes to convey some of the beauty and sense of adventure she finds in her surroundings—to offer a window onto a place you want to go: somewhere uplifting, bright, and peaceful.