Maria Laffey

Maria was born in 1967 in Hartlepool and grew up on the North East Coast of England. Following a degree in law, Maria qualified as a barrister and spent over 20 years as a shipping lawyer in the maritime industry. She began painting during a career break when her son was small and discovered the thrill of the creative process. She continued to paint when time permitted but in 2016 she decided to sacrifice the rewards of legal practice to pursue this creative path.

Maria paints in oils and watercolours, both outdoors and in her studio in rural Northumberland. Painting in the outdoors, ‘en plein air’ allows her to engage directly with the sights and sounds in the landscape, which enhances the experience of painting, engaging all the senses.

Maria has exhibited alongside members of the Royal Society of British Artists at their annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London. She has exhibited twice at Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland and in Scarborough Art Gallery. She was shortlisted for the New Light Art Prize 2020/2021 and will exhibit in the New Light touring exhibition at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tullie House Museum, Carlisle and Bankside Gallery, London.

Exhibitions at Gallagher & Turner:
A Year in South West Northumberland, 2021 (solo)