Original Artwork by Maria Abou Taka
Maria Abou Taka‘s artwork blended realism and emotion to explore themes of place, identity, and resilience. From the quiet strength of a lion’s gaze to Vancouver’s misty skyline, each piece reflects observation, memory, and a deep respect for the people and landscapes that shape our world.
Abou Taka began auctioning her paintings in high school to support cancer charities, discovering how art can be both personal and purposeful. Today, working primarily in oil and graphite, Abou Taka focuses on hyperrealism, creating pieces that bridge science, emotion, and cultural memory.
Inspired by my travels through Vancouver Island, this oil painting captures the interplay of light, shadow, and quiet resilience. The soft pink hues of the sunset mirror the delicate balance I observed in nature: fleeting, powerful, and profoundly alive.
Created with Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, this piece is a love letter to the Italian coast: where lemon trees bloom, the sea hums gently in the distance, and every warm tone whispers of home. A blend of memory and imagination, drawn from sun-drenched moments and ancestral longing.
Love letter to Vancouver.
Inspired by the sun-drenched savannas of Africa: a close study of the lion’s gaze.
They say love leaves paw prints on the heart. Max left entire constellations. This painting is for him — for the quiet loyalty, the gentle eyes, and the unconditional love that made everything feel okay.
Banff looks like a dream, but it feels even more unreal when you’re there. This oil painting is my way of holding on to that kind of magic.
A celebration of Indigenous womanhood: rooted, radiant, and rising. Painted with deep respect for the sacred stories behind every face.
Venus: Earth’s twin in size, its opposite in temperament.