Maitane Echaniz

This new summer season we travel to Bilbao, in the north of Spain, to meet an artist who loves the Earth, our planet, the nature found in it and, specifically, the sea and its light.

Maitane Echaniz shows us the different changes of the Ocean over time, through the use of color and lighting to make us aware that the sea is a being as alive as we are. A being that deserves care, affection, and protection, for all that it provides to humans, and that we do not know how to value.

Art that awakens consciences: oceanic paintings that cry out for the protection of the sea

“Summer Scent”. 30x30cm, acrylic on Amalfi paper

“We Are Water I”. 30x30cm, acrylic on canvas

From an early age, I always felt driven by painting. However, it was not until 2021 that I decided to take this passion as a source of inspiration and commit myself more dedicatedly to my artistic practice.

Showing the relentless beauty of the sea, I try to infect the observer with a feeling of peace and connection with the ocean, the Earth's lung, motivating them to become its defender.

In a world where speed often obscures the need to preserve nature, my purpose is thatmy worksserve as beacons of light that guide the way towards a sustainable future, where harmony between humans and the natural environment is possible.

I try for my works to be an invitation to dive into the depths of the oceans, to feel the sea breeze, to hear the whisper of the waves, to smell the salt… like a kind of therapy with the goal of inspiring calm and tranquility, and at the same time a deep respect and love for nature. I want those who experience my art to feel motivated to take an active role in the protection and preservation of our planet, recognizing that the ocean is essential for life and deserves to be cared for responsibly. My works do not intend to be just visual representations, but also a call to action, a celebration of the wonder and fragility of our world.

Inmy creationsIt is common to find walkers or surfers as a representation of this bond and harmony. I think the figure of the surfer represents it especially well, because even the most experienced know that the final decision is in the hands of the waves. They let themselves be carried by the force of nature, recognizing that they must respect it, that they cannot impose their will on the ocean, but must adapt to its rhythm.

One of mylatest seriesIt addresses the transition of the Mediterranean Sea as a metaphor for the changes they are experiencing, highlighting the urgency of acting before it is too late.

I believe that understanding that we depend on the ocean establishes a fundamental bond that helps us appreciate the relevance of our actions and the urgency of conserving nature.