DVAA Member since 2025

Maeve Pinheiro

About:

My name is Maeve and I grew up just a few short blocks from 2nd and South, where my fascination with art began. From the murals up by 10th or the graffiti after Jim’s Steaks fire, Philadelphia’s unique cultural landscape framed my early exposure to the Arts. My parents asked a colleague’s wife to teach me how to paint when I was 12, and I learned on my own from there. Traditionally trained, I’ve had two exhibitions in Ireland where I spent most of my childhood summers, and I’m now attempting to expand my creative palette into surrealism instead. My literal, and sometimes cynical, view of daily life has necessitated that I learn new skills to help me tackle complicated ideas with many layers of truth.

Artist Statement:

My day job as a veterinary nurse and aspiring physician leaves me with a harsh reality check everyday when I get home. By the time I get done reviewing my case notes and filling out applications, the last thing on my mind is what I have time to paint before bed - or rather, what I can reasonably start without falling asleep first. It’s after days like those, though, where my mind is either absolutely blank or completely overstimulated that I allow such distractions - like painting - to preoccupy my mind. In some ways I need to pick up a pencil after my shift because it helps me do something productive while processing the emotions I felt that day. A lot of my work is centered on animal rights and environmental justice as a result.