Maria Soto

About Maria Soto

ARTIST STATEMENT

My background knowledge in photography was on a self-taught basis and from photography courses taken at community colleges.  The one major important bit of knowledge I learned was “composition”.  I was drawn to scenic and landscape, architecture, and more – basically I love to capture “LIFE” on film.  As a black and white film photographer, I was able to experience having my darkroom for 6 years, but now I am strictly digital.

ARTIST BIO

I have exhibited my photography in galleries since 2003 in Sacramento (Blue Moon, Doiron, Artisan, Taylor’s Art, and Soul), and was a member in High Hand Gallery co-op, Loomis, CA for over four years, and in Auburn, CA (numerous venues on Auburn Art Walk).  I've had numerous ‘featured’ artist exhibits and continue to participate in various art shows in Sacramento and Placer counties.  I was a volunteer member on the Auburn Art Walk Committee for several years, and currently volunteer for the Art League of Lincoln curating the gallery shows. In September 2010, I was asked to participate as the sole photography juror for 48 Natoma Gallery’s “Interior Scapes Show”.

As an artist, I have expanded my horizons and am painting in acrylic and watercolor; creating Sumi ink paintings, and working in mixed media.  I’ve always felt one had to know everything about a subject before putting oneself out there, as in photography, and that is probably what held me back for a long time and being a late bloomer.  I know now that is not the case!  We continue to learn along the way – something new every day – and I believe that’s what keeps artists going.

My most recent accomplishment is writing a book that showcases 13 artists, including myself, and documenting their stories in B&W photography.  It was published in April 2021 and is currently available online.  The book title is “Artful Journeys – When you speak with an artist, Discoveries are made”.

My website: www.MariaSotoPhotography.com currently has black and white, and color images from Brookings, OR, San Francisco, Alcatraz, the Getty Museum, Bodie Ghost Town, Mexico, and Europe. I also have a Facebook page:  www.Facebook.com/MariaSotoArt to showcase all my artwork.