I have combined the two to create my own style that I believe is fine
art. Using stained glass as my palette, I like to create my mosaics by
blending the two art forms to bring about a fluid, painted effect. I also
hope to introduce my viewers to another way of looking at both stained
glass and mosaics.
5. Which current art world trends are you following? I am
attracted to any bold and colorful expression of art of any kind. I don’t
follow many trends and like to set my own. I shy away from being too
influenced by art trends so as to keep my art uniquely mine.
6. Where can a consumer find your work to purchase? My
website (yborcitymosaics.com) contains mosaic pieces that are currently
for sale – just leave me your contact info or email me directly at
yborcitymosaics@gmail.com. I am also available for commissioned
work from photos, images or abstract art. I love to take a client’s idea
and description and create a one-of-a-kind work of art. I hope the
consumer will be drawn by my bold use of color as well.
7. What female do you look up to most and why? Without a
doubt my mother, Margaret Odom, was the most influential person in
my life. She was the best mother and grandmother and strongest person
I have ever
known and
taught me so
many life lessons
that stay
with me to this
day; lessons I
have passed
down to my
own children.
I also
have several
other women
that I greatly
admire and
have learned
from: Maya
art&culture
Angelou, Frida Kahlo and Michelle Obama, to name a few. They are
all at the top of my list because of their courage, daring and bold expression.
8. What is your idea of a perfect weekend? Any time spent
with my family is the BEST! Especially, a weekend at the beach, eating
good food, playing games, and great conversations. The love is palpable
when we are together. Just quality time and of course if I can
combine the family time with working on my mosaics – PERFECTO!
9. What do you hate? I hate cruelty of any kind, especially human
against human, and injustice, prejudice and discrimination.
10. What is the single thing that brings you the most joy?
GOD!! My relationship with God through Jesus Christ is everything to
me. He maintains and sustains me, my family, my health, finances, relationships
and most assuredly, my art. The Joy of the Lord is my strength
and He enables me to find joy in all these aspects of my life.
ARTIST BIO: MARIA ORTIZ-HAYNES
www.yborcitymosaics.com
Maria Ortiz-Haynes is originally from
Paterson, New Jersey and is a proud resident
of Tampa’s Ybor City. She is a self-taught mosaic
artist. After a trip to Cuba (her mother’s
birthplace) in 2013, she was inspired by the
brightly colored art work she observed there.
Her work is flavored by her family’s roots from
Havana to Key West to Ybor City.
Her signature work is unlike traditional
mosaics and brings a vibrancy and complexity
to her unique style of using hand-cut pieces of
stained glass of different sizes and bright, bold colors that blend to create an
overall fluid, painted effect.
Her work blends her Hispanic and African-American background. She
invites you into her mosaic scenes to examine more closely what makes up the
bigger picture – to explore all the hand-cut pieces that make the whole.
Her work has been exhibited at Ruth Eckerd Hall, The Glazer Children’s
Museum, The Art Center Manatee, The Morean Art Center, Old Hyde Park Art
Center and is included in several private collections.
FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE 813.682.9364 JANUARY 2020 • 21
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/www.yborcitymosaics.com
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