Born in the Philippines in 1978, Maria van Dijk holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, specializing in Advertising Arts from the University of the East. As a seasoned professional artist, she has garnered extensive experience. She served as a Background Artist for an animation studio in the Philippines. Additionally, Maria ventured into roles as a Special Effects Artist (SFX) and 2D animator for Japan’s renowned Toei animations. Back in her homeland, she excelled as an art teacher and multimedia lecturer.

Now residing in Suriname with her family, Maria actively engages in freelance work, specializing in graphic design, commissioned portraits, and paintings. Her passion lies in the world of watercolors, and many of her masterpieces are skillfully crafted using this captivating medium. Notably, Maria currently heads the International Watercolor Society’s Suriname branch, making significant contributions to the local and international art community. She is also a member of the Society of Watercolor Artists in Fort Worth, Texas, JIWI (Japan International Watercolor Institute), and Women in Watercolor. Her exceptional talent has earned her a place in numerous local and international watercolor exhibitions, allowing her to share her captivating artwork with a global audience. She has exhibited in prestigious watercolor art exhibitions in Bolivia, Bulgaria, Greece, Japan, India, Iran, Turkey, Russia, and the United States of America. Furthermore, she received the 3rd place award in the Society of Watercolor Artists Non-signature member category in Fort Worth, Texas, and has been recognized as a finalist in the International Masters of Watercolor Alliance and IFAM online international juried competition. Additionally, she was shortlisted in the International Watercolor Masters in 2021.
Recently, she secured the 4th place in the IWS Sogol Art Cafe Gallery “Nostalgia,” an online international watercolor exhibition.

Many of Maria’s watercolor creations draw inspiration from her journeys, spanning from the Philippines to Suriname. Nestled within an old Suriname plantation, enveloped by lush foliage, she found herself captivated by the landscape that enveloped her and the creatures that called the plantation home. Her artistic enthusiasm extends to painting her rich heritage and the vibrant culture of her home country, the Philippines.