Maria is a surface pattern designer and certified trend forecaster with over four decades of experience translating creative ideas into meaningful, visually engaging design work.

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She has built a thriving design practice with more than 4,000 original patterns available across platforms such as Spoonflower and Amazon Merch on Demand, giving her a deep, firsthand understanding of both the creative process and the realities of today’s product-driven marketplace.

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She has also worked closely with product manufacturers, designing complete product lines and collaborating with overseas factories. She has traveled on-site to ensure quality and execution from concept through final production.

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Her work blends storytelling, color, and pattern to create designs that feel both distinctive and versatile, supporting artistic expression while adapting naturally across a range of consumer products.

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She is currently expanding her work into cohesive, story-driven collections that bring together pattern, character, and narrative in a more intentional and connected way.

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In addition to her design practice, Maria is the founder of Create Courageously, a platform dedicated to helping artists streamline their workflows and make more confident creative and business decisions. She is currently developing Future Canvas, a decision-support tool designed to help creatives navigate their next steps with clarity and intention, using a future-self perspective.

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Based in Tucson, Arizona, Maria draws daily inspiration from the desert’s bold color, rhythm, and natural forms. Guided by her mantra, Create Courageously, her work reflects a commitment to clarity, resilience, and intentional creative growth.