(2020) Career Interview: Maria Knier, The Bezert
By: Catcher Stodola (UWM Peck School of the Arts)
Maria Knier, AKA The Bezert, is an artist based in Milwaukee, WI. She is known for creating magical creatures out of clay called Totum Faunas. She uses elements found in nature, such as twigs, feathers and gemstones to help shape their personalities. But what really makes them unique are their eyes! The Bezert uses photocopied images of human eyes to help her fantasy creations to come to life. You can find many bees, a variety of birds, butterflies, elves, woodland creatures, storybook characters, and many others you may recognize but all envisioned with The Bezert’s unique spin
Maria has loved art almost her entire life. Around age four she became obsessed with art and has never looked back. Before she began creating Totum Faunas, Maria illustrated and published two storybooks while also doing graphic design full time. Prior to the manifestation of her books Maria went to school for illustration at MIAD and became a freelance editorial illustrator. Her first job was an illustrated cover for Wisconsin Magazine that was included in the Milwaukee Journal.
Maria has always been such an inspiration for me because she follows her heart and shares her art to the world with no hesitation. Maria’s advice for people starting a career in the arts is to “Live your truth. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Following your bliss can be hard work. You need to work hard and don't shy away from opportunities that come your way (especially in the beginning of your career).” In her 50 years of doing art Maria says that every creative decision/exploration has led her to where she is today; she would not change anything that has happened to her throughout the years.
Maria has been creating the Totum Faunas for five years. Totums are great art pieces to have they feel like magical creatures that are watching over you. My family owns around 10 Totums and they bring such a majestic experience to our house. There are so many different kinds of Totums, it’s always so enjoyable picking one out. It feels like that one was made for you. Maria sculps them out of stone clay and collects and uses nature that adds dimension to the Totums. She paints and gessos them adding details and seals their unique eyes with a varnish. Maria sells her art totums many different ways, from galleries to shops to street markets and art fairs. Maria loves the face to face experience of selling at art events because she gets to connect with the buyer directly. She loves seeing how the customer connects with a particular totum when they find the one meant for them.She says, “my favorite part is seeing the faces of the people when they connect with their FAVORITE one. They smile and their eyes light up. It's pretty magical.”
You can connect with The Bezert and her magical Totum Fauna at www.thebezert.com and follow her on Insatgram @thebezert. Give one of her totems their forever home. You’ll be happy you did!
Maria Knier, AKA The Bezert, is an artist based in Milwaukee, WI. She is known for creating magical creatures out of clay called Totum Faunas. She uses elements found in nature, such as twigs, feathers and gemstones to help shape their personalities. But what really makes them unique are their eyes! The Bezert uses photocopied images of human eyes to help her fantasy creations to come to life. You can find many bees, a variety of birds, butterflies, elves, woodland creatures, storybook characters, and many others you may recognize but all envisioned with The Bezert’s unique spin
Maria has loved art almost her entire life. Around age four she became obsessed with art and has never looked back. Before she began creating Totum Faunas, Maria illustrated and published two storybooks while also doing graphic design full time. Prior to the manifestation of her books Maria went to school for illustration at MIAD and became a freelance editorial illustrator. Her first job was an illustrated cover for Wisconsin Magazine that was included in the Milwaukee Journal.
Maria has always been such an inspiration for me because she follows her heart and shares her art to the world with no hesitation. Maria’s advice for people starting a career in the arts is to “Live your truth. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Following your bliss can be hard work. You need to work hard and don't shy away from opportunities that come your way (especially in the beginning of your career).” In her 50 years of doing art Maria says that every creative decision/exploration has led her to where she is today; she would not change anything that has happened to her throughout the years.
Maria has been creating the Totum Faunas for five years. Totums are great art pieces to have they feel like magical creatures that are watching over you. My family owns around 10 Totums and they bring such a majestic experience to our house. There are so many different kinds of Totums, it’s always so enjoyable picking one out. It feels like that one was made for you. Maria sculps them out of stone clay and collects and uses nature that adds dimension to the Totums. She paints and gessos them adding details and seals their unique eyes with a varnish. Maria sells her art totums many different ways, from galleries to shops to street markets and art fairs. Maria loves the face to face experience of selling at art events because she gets to connect with the buyer directly. She loves seeing how the customer connects with a particular totum when they find the one meant for them.She says, “my favorite part is seeing the faces of the people when they connect with their FAVORITE one. They smile and their eyes light up. It's pretty magical.”
You can connect with The Bezert and her magical Totum Fauna at www.thebezert.com and follow her on Insatgram @thebezert. Give one of her totems their forever home. You’ll be happy you did!
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