Venezuelan artist in Ocklawaha coats canvases with coffee and cinnamon
Maria De Sousa uses scent and texture in mixed media pieces while painting with her left hand to manage multiple sclerosis.
By Anthony Foster ·
A black Labrador named Mylo waits near the easel in the Ocklawaha studio where Maria De Sousa works.
De Sousa, who moved from Venezuela to the United States in 2011, began her latest piece on Thursday, Oct. 22, by applying a layer of Pilón coffee to the canvas. The Venezuelan artist added cinnamon to the mix, creating a work she calls “Origen.” She uses an infrared light to illuminate the surface, checking the layers of acrylic paint and other materials she has applied.
De Sousa specializes in mixed media because she wants the viewer to engage with the artwork using more than just their eyes. She applies 3D sculpting paste for texture and incorporates fabrics such as linen and silk. Dried natural flowers, leaves, and metal pieces made of copper, silver, and gold are also common in her work. She adds glow-in-the-dark paint and gold, silver, or bronze leaf to many of her pieces.
The artist paints primarily with acrylics because the medium blends well with the other substances she uses. She has lived in Ocala since moving there from Miami to enjoy the local nature. De Sousa has multiple sclerosis and said she paints mostly with her left hand because she has more mobility on that side of her body. She noted that working with her right hand is difficult, but she has learned that there are no limits to what she can do.
De Sousa started painting at age 7. She studied architecture in Venezuela and later graduated in jewelry design in Miami. She said she shifted her focus to painting after moving to Ocala due to difficulties caused by her disability. She describes her style as Impressionism and cites Claude Monet as her favorite artist. She admires the way Monet conveyed the true soul he perceived in his work.
De Sousa said she hopes her art complements the spaces people occupy. She stated that her work is based on reflection or motivation and helps her learn. She wants the person who connects with a piece to find fulfillment. She said she creates art to give peace and love to those who admire it.
De Sousa has been a featured artist at the city of Ocala First Friday Art Walks. Some of her works are currently displayed at the Latinos Y Mas restaurant. The city of Ocala’s Cultural Arts division, which organizes the art walks, described her as a talented local painter in a social media post. The division noted that her work blends impressionism, abstract, and realism. It said her art encourages reflection and supports mental well-being through expressive forms and vibrant colors.
De Sousa said she dedicated herself to art after her first Artwalk event in 2025. She said she sold nothing that day, but seeing the happiness on people’s faces confirmed her path. She spends most of her time improving her art by experimenting with new techniques. She is available on Instagram at @mariazdsillustration.
