Wearable Art by Maria Gregory

About Maria and her Journey from artist to Textile Designer to Launching MG DesignTrends…

Maria Gregory is a contemporary artist living in the Philadelphia area dividing her time between Greece and the United States. Versatile in her abilities Maria has been able to adapt her creative gifts in various ways; her most recent endeavor is a line of textiles – both wearable art and home décor items.

Maria’s family heralds from the Greek island of Mykonos in the Aegean Sea which has been the inspiration for much of her work. After studying painting at Tyler School of Fine Art in Philadelphia, PA, Maria went on to earn a degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. As a designer, she worked for various textile companies in NYC for several years.

As time went on, Maria became interested in the connection of art with psychology. This evolution prompted her to study Art Therapy at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA. As an art therapist, the relationship of color to psychological healing became more evident in the work of her clients. These elements became both fascinating and mystical to Maria, and began connecting to her own creativity.

After retiring from private practice in 2021 Maria returned to her first love… painting. Many of her paintings and textile designs have been adapted from their original form into accessories and a home furnishings collection. Her artist’s training and talents are visible in her use of color, line quality and patterning. Maria’s work is inspired by nature, natural light and the shifting colors of the Aegean Sea at different times of day. Her innate understanding of color and its influence on mood and emotional healing is also evident in her color choices.

Maria has named many of the textile patterns chosen for her creations after natural stones as they may enhance subtle healing energies. These functional, yet elegant textile pieces, high-quality scarves, totes, and pillows are adapted from carefully selected sections of her paintings. They are intended to inspire and provide emotional comfort through their color vibrations.

In selecting a piece from the collection, Maria often directs her customers to pick the bag or textile item that “speaks to them” the most. She invites you to explore both her original paintings and the items created from them here.