Maria Shanina is a designer and artist, creating out of her studio in Stittsville (Ottawa), Ontario, where she works with wood, textiles and mixed media. Artist's current body of work reflects her study on the positive effect of art and aesthetics on mental health and wellbeing that’s called neuroaesthetics. Maria sees neuroaesthetics as a powerful force that can positively impact communities by affecting people’s behavior and feelings, by decreasing levels of stress and anxiety, by improving focus and bringing calmness and joy. In her work Maria experiments with various media and techniques ...

As an artisan I work in wood, metal, leather and mineral. The items created include fashion accessories (such as jewellery, bags and belts,) decorative products (such as clocks, sculptures, furniture, decorative art and personal care items.) I was professionally trained as a jeweller/goldsmith, horologist and carpenter/joiner, and additionally qualified as a chemist and biologist. I've practiced as an artisan since 1978 primarily on a part time basis. My creations are designed to be as human friendly as possible with an eye to ergonomics and human factors.