Maria Soledad Leiva

“Landscapes are completely linked with my life, and I'm linked with them. I grew up amid the dirt, the trees, the rain, the wind, the fear to the wind, the dark and long winters, the orange trees with their fragrances, the humid dirt, mud, the smell of the tree trunks, on which I climbed everytime I could, and looking from above to reach the sky and its attraction. The winter grays and violets gave me that joy and also melancholy at the same time ” (Arte Al límite Magazine, 32th edition, 2008 - www.arteallimite.cl )

María Soledad Leiva was born in Buín, about 50 kms from Santiago, the capital of Chile. She began since she was a little child her relationship with the countryside which later on became her inspiration in art. Particularly she was also experimenting in several forms of expression, from dance studies, corporal expression, dressing design and color and paintbrushes.

This journey began with a strong inspiration resulting from her visit to Florence , Italy , where art was breathable, and showed in the colors of its canvas, the curves of its architecture and sculptures. This impacted her so much that it awoke a big part of her feelings, drawing her to express it with a fully emotionally loaded soul in colors and emotions.

This drove María Soledad Leiva to get deep into the world of paintbrushes, shapes and colors, inspired by the fresh air of the countryside of Buin and the mastery of the great classical European painters.

To improve and learn about the different techniques in painting, she attended several courses, the most notable being:

1992 - 1994: Watercolor painting - Judith Oddó - Chile

1996 - 2001: Oil painting - Francisco Fernández Donoso - Chile

1999: Color Course - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile - Eduardo Vilches

1999: Human Figure - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile - Gastón Laval

2000: Human Figure and Creation - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile - Roberto Farriol

2000: Art Apretiation - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile - Claudia Campaña

Since 1994, María Soledad felt the urge to exhibit her work to the public, along with her feelings and what painting and the countryside meant to her and her painting.

Some of her Exhibits, that have shown an important part of her work are:

1994 Instituto Cultural Las Condes. Art Workshops.

1994 Promotion; Selected works

1995 National Society of Bellas Artes (Beaux Arts)

“Fall Exhibit”, Palacio de la Alhambra

1996 Cultural Center “Al Sur del Maipú”

Collective Exhibit “Volver a empezar”

1998 National Society of Bellas Artes (Beaux Arts)

“National Exhibit”, Palacio de la Alhambra

1999 First individual Exhibit, “Sol de Agosto” (August Sun), ArteXiste Gallery

Casona Las Condes, Santiago Chile

2000 National Society of Bellas Artes (Beaux Arts)

“National Exhibit”

2001 Individual Exhibit, “Sol de Otoño” (Fall Sun)

Cultural Institute of Providencia, Santiago Chile

2001 Individual Exhibit, “Sol Sereno” (Serene Sun)

Carmen Codoceo Gallery, La Serena Chile

2004 Exhibit, “Sensibilidad y Fuerza” (Sensitivity and Strength)

Estrategia Gallery, Santiago Chile

2005 Exhibit, “Dos Miradas” (Two Views)

Honor Salon, National Congress, Valparaíso Chile

2005 Exhibit “ De lo humano a lo divino” (From Human to Divine)

2007 Collective Exhibit

Private Atelier , Santiago Chile

2008 First international Chilean Art Aair

Collective Exhibit “Arte al límite” (Art to the Limit)

Ana María Matthei Gallery, Santiago, Chile

2008 Exhibit “Reflejos” (Reflexes)

Ana María Matthei Gallery, Santiago, Chile

2009 Collective Exhibit

Municipipality of Santo Domingo, Chile

ExpoVerano (Summer Expo)

She has been awarded in numerous occasions, which makes her proud to have the opportunity of being appreciated for her brushstrokes. Particularly important to her are:

1999 National Society of Bellas Artes (Beaux Arts)

“Fall Exhibit”, Palacio de la Alhambra

Award: Honor Award

1999 National Society of Bellas Artes (Beaux Arts)

“National Exhibit”, Palacio de la Alhambra

Award: Honor Award

2000 National Painting Contest

Cultural Chilean-Japanese Institute

Award: Honor Award

2001 National Society of Bellas Artes (Beaux Arts)

“National Exhibit”

Award: Bronze Medal

2003 National Foundation of Culture

Art Contest

Award: 2nd place

2004 National Society of Bellas Artes (Beaux Arts)

“National Exhibit”

Award: Silver Medal

2004 Brazil Embassy

“Acrilex Contest”

Award: Medal of Honor and First Prize.

2004 Exhibit “Sensibilidad y Fuerza” (Sensitivity and Strength)

          Estrategia Gallery

2005 Exhibit “Dos Miradas” (Two Views)

          Honor Salon, National Congress, Valparaíso Chile 

2005 Exhibit “De lo humano a lo Divino” (From Human to Divine)

          Art Garden, Santiago, Chile

2007 Contest “Painting Melipilla”

        Award: First Prize and Honor Award

2008 Contest “A poem for Gabriela”

Wiso Foundation

Selected Work

2009 has been an excellent year for María Soledad. In this year's Exhibit in Summer Expo in Santo Domingo, Chile, she beat all past sales records, which was an incredible honor for her and, in her own words; she was delighted by having her feelings reach to other people's heart that felt the same for her works. This made her very proud.

To have the chance to transmit her emotions is a topic María Soledad has been exploring this year, teaching and coaching other painters in her atelier in Santiago de Chile where she continues giving a free ride to her brushstrokes. She hopes to share with her viewers the scents, the emotions, the emotions that only trees and landscapes, waves and rocks of Chile can give.