HEERA ALAYA

Heera Alaya: Watching you pedal towards your shop cum laboratorio [artist workshop] made me think: What a beautiful sight—a joyous woman on a bike!

Maria Guida: [Laughs] Thank you. I love biking.

If I know right, you are not a native of Lucca [Tuscan city].

Sì [Yes]. I am from Napoli [also known as Naples, a southern Italian city]. 

I have heard Neapolitans are friendly. Is there any truth to it?

It is true [Maria emphasises true]; Napoli people are friendly. There is something about the energy in Napoli; you can feel the openness. In Lucca, people are different, closed and not connected to others.

How does a welcoming, cheerful person like yourself navigate Lucca’s relatively closed mindset?

I have many friends from the south and some from Lucca, too. There is something about my energy—I attract people like me.

I came to Lucca 26 years ago, and my family moved here a year later. When I was very young, I suddenly lost my Papa. My Mama knew I wanted to be in Lucca, so she decided to leave Napoli. My Mama, two sisters (each has three children) and one brother (he has a fiancé) stay together in Lucca.

Why did you want to move to Lucca?

[Laughs] Love, love, love. I knew this man—from Napoli—who worked in Florence [City in central Italy]. He was very young, maybe 21 years old. I married him and had my daughter, Luna. Then I split up with him, but I decided to stay in Lucca because Luna went to school here and she has friends in Lucca.

Another factor is the convenience of living in Lucca; it is easy, and you can do almost everything. In Napoli, everything is cumbersome. Napoli is vast, and going from one part to another takes time (You must have a lot of money to have quiet in Napoli.). For instance, it’s very stressful to pick up the children from school—it is full of cars and people. In Lucca, everyone is on bikes, which I love.

Life has worked out well for you.

When did you shift your shop cum laboratorio to this location (It is bright and appealing.)?

Thank you; this space is lovely. I have been here for a few months now. And though I have set up my laboratorio, I need to be in the flow to paint here.

My assistant is very good at caring for the shop, so I can paint from my home studio. However, I will work from here in the future.

Lucca is sprinkled with piazzas [Public squares], but Piazza Cittadella has a different feel—It is tucked away and not crowded.

Sì. This piazza is hidden but still popular, and it is different because locals have lived here for 30 years and some longer. So the feeling is Lucca-like.

Do you paint from memory or photographic documentation?

I remember places and moments, so I prefer to paint from memory. Sometimes, I take photos with my phone, like this one [points to a painting].

On what material do you paint?

I buy wood frames and paint directly on them.

Do you have to prep the wood boards? 

Sì. I coat the wood board with primer—a mixture of chalk, glue, water and segale flour.

[Maria has me touch the board] It is grainy.

Si. I go over [with primer] the wood a few times. And when the surface dries, I paint with oil paints.

Do you paint several canvasses at a time?

Since I work with oil paints, I have to wait for them to dry. Sometimes, I will sketch. If I am inspired, I start several pieces at the same time.

Is there a particular time in the day when you are naturally in the mood to paint or create art?

I feel alone with my thoughts in the morning and late at night, making it the ideal time. The ambience was the best (when I was) in the countryside; I want this feeling again–to be surrounded by trees.

You love the sea too.

Sì. I love the sea. You will notice a lot of blue in my shop.

I also notice hearts.

I love hearts for sculptures.

Where did you learn to make sculptures?

I am self-taught. I also trained under a professor (he had many students in his class). I read books and keep trying to improve. I am continuously learning.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t painting or creating sculptures?

Sometimes, I like staying home with my daughters doing nothing significant—waking up in the morning and taking care of the home. When I decide to take this time, I am refreshed to get back to painting.

Your shop sells only your artwork. How do you maintain inventory?

I also sell prints [in addition to her paintings]. But sometimes, I need to be alone and take a break. So when I come back [to paint], I have a renewed mindset, which is favourable for my customers too.

You must feel great satisfaction when customers buy your artwork.

Of course, it is good to sell my art. But also, when someone like you walks into my shop, appreciating the details and feeling the wellness, it gives me joy. Creating is not only buying but also a good feeling when people see my work and shop.

When I could finally focus only on this job [painting and making sculptures], I wanted to take a risk. I decided I wanted to be happy and for people to be happy experiencing my creations.

Reciprocity is in play—we [clients and visitors] feel your positive intentions and spirit, which makes us appreciate you and your work.

Brava. Brava.

From where did the inspiration come to start painting?

[Laughs] My second relationship with a man from Lucca; he wanted me to do everything in the house, pick up the girls from school, pay the bills and look good!!! And then this Lucca ex gets a younger woman—8 years younger than me.

Maria, I empathise with you. I don’t mean to deviate from our conversation, but it is essential to take a moment—for young women—to address the scale of damage a despicable male (he is not a man in the truest sense) will cause to a high-standard woman’s well-being.

I read betrayers are part of the plan; it is true. The universe will pick a low-grade male and send him to a quality woman. This low-grade male’s (Professional competence and bank balance have nothing to do with character, self-esteem and confidence) inadequacy and jealousy will destroy the quality woman. Once the universe’s mission—reminding a fine woman of her capacity and shine—is complete, it will deliver the inadequate man to his meagre capacity—a low-grade woman who is an extension of his mother, willingly subjugated and dependent. 

From infancy, a misogynist’s mother betrays him from becoming a high-value, well-informed and high-self-esteem man, ensuring her weak son feels like a man only with a substandard-subjugated female.

Only a strong-quality woman raises a secure, enlightened and quality man who knows the worth of having a high-value partner—an independent woman who shines—emotionally, intellectually and professionally. Such a quality man will cherish, support and applaud you for evolving as a human.

Brava, Heera, brava.

Coming to you specifically, aside from being a talented artist creating uplifting-whimsical art, you are one stunning woman. You are blessed with freedom, peace, individuality, creativity, joy, and more. And the world is lucky to have gained you. Thank you for your journey, for rising, and for shining.

Thank you so much. Initially, I was traumatized, but then I didn’t care, as I had everything I wanted: my daughters, my work, my assistant, everything.

Painting was not my first job; I was working another full-time job. This unpleasant situation made me want to be more independent, so I worked more and organised myself to be an artist.

[We high-five] Bravo.

I did my job with my hands. I was the only one who helped me.

Maria, this is the best way to do it [rise on your own]—you don’t owe credit to anyone.

Sì. The best.

Others’ cruelty and jealousy are essential to finding your independence and creativity and claiming your shine.

[Laughter] Sì. Sì. His [the Lucca ex] actions made me change my life to become my best. I was very young.

You can’t turn back your age, but you have the power to turn around other aspects of your life for the positive. Every experience gives you a chance to be better.

I also have to thank my last job as a cashier at Penny Market [supermarket chain]—it sucked. I was willing to risk anything for a better future. I changed because of this space [Maria’s laboratorio]. I wanted to have a place like this, to be a reflection of my work.

I appreciate the thought and effort you put into your work and space. You take the negatives and silently turn them into positives.

Thank you. It [Maria’s shop] is magic. And yes, to work quietly because the energy of others can be a hindrance to your growth.

What is it like for a single woman, a divorcee, to manage her life in Italy?

In Italy, it is challenging because the culture is macho. And also, there is not much respect for a woman—because you are a woman. You can be a good mother, but you still have to do everything and be a certain way.

I do not have any help from my last relationship [the Lucca ex]. His attitude is: This is my daughter, but you are the mother, so you have to do everything. I will be here every 15 days to visit. I wouldn’t say I liked it, but I accepted it.

This regressive and chauvinist Italian mentality is similar to the Indian psyche.

How?

Most often, an Indian wife’s role (despite textbook education and employment) is relegated to, first and foremost, be a full-time domestic help/glorified housekeeper. While the wife succumbs to stress and resentment, the husband takes the credit: “My success, my child, my house, blah blah.”

[Laughter] This is familiar. In Italy, after everything a woman does—from housework to child rearing and from cooking to medical care, the wife has to work. A woman who doesn’t work is a burden to the man.

In my experience (which might not be valid for all women), the situation in the north [of Italy] is worse than in the south. They have many children in the south, so they cannot spoil everyone. Also, unlike in Napoli, men in Lucca will tell sex jokes and use bad words, demonstrating a lack of respect for women. There is more respect for women in the south than in the north.

How do you retain your wellness and femininity through hostility?

Of late, I have not had time to invest in my wellness, but the best thing I do for myself is eat correctly, drink water, take vitamin supplements, and lead an active life—walk whenever possible and bike (I feel like I am on a permanent holiday when riding my bike.). Sometimes, I eat terribly; I love cake, pasta and pizza (My sister has a pizzeria and makes delicious pizzas.).

The key is to take the essence of life while remaining true to your life and taking care of yourself. I lead a quiet life to feel inside and take in the goodness.

Learn more about Maria Guida.