Maria Napier
Maria Napier is a Colombian-American artist who has lived in Charlotte, NC for most of her life. Maria earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, double majoring in Psychology and Communication Studies with an emphasis in Mass Media. She uses art as a way to create thought-provoking pieces with the purpose of bringing attention to emotional self-awareness, self-discovery, and connection. As a self-taught artist, she works primarily in acrylics, mixed media, hand-painted 3D pieces, and art using recycled materials. She has participated in many group and solo exhibitions in the area, including Charlotte SHOUT!, and Edge Fest. Maria has also collaborated with and designed several murals in the Charlotte-Metro area. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and spending time with her family and friends.
100 Tiny Thing "Pixie Hollow"
When I saw that applications for 100 Tiny Things were open, I decided to construct something out of recycled materials.
The idea came to me when I decided to repurpose a plastic laundry detergent container and make it into something magical instead.
My idea is to create a Pixie home that can be securely attached to any pole or small tree using zip ties. The plastic container serves as the house and it'll be covered with natural elements like rocks, moss, twigs, etc, to create an organic look. There will be LED lights powered by a small solar panel that will be securely attached to the roof. The lights begin inside of the home and will spread out the door forming a sort of magical path.
I'm also creating a fairy or pixie that will hover over her home. This figurine is made out of recycled wire and aluminum foil that forms the "skeleton" and a layer of foam clay to shape the body. The wings are cut from recycled soda cans, primed, and painted with a metallic finish.
My purpose is to show that recycling can be more than just separating trash. It is an opportunity to repurpose objects into something useful, practical, or just something beautiful that makes us smile. Seeing the beauty in the little things is a great step toward a better tomorrow.