Maurice
by Beata Vavrova
Foster Sponsor: Carmel Plaza
Mission & Ocean
Photos: Pawsh Portraits Carmel
About Dog of Carmel Maurice:
When I first received Maurice, I was immediately inspired by his playful appearance. I envisioned visitors at Carmel Plaza being greeted by his friendly face and whimsical charm. I chose colors that evoke joy and imagination, drawing from summer days spent frolicking along the Central Coast of California.
Maurice is wrapped in a golden bow made of “air sparkles”—a magical shimmer that anyone familiar with Carmel will recognize. His design emerged from a blend of his sculpted form and a splash of creative freedom.
Using a variety of acrylic mediums and textures, I aimed to make Maurice a visual and emotional delight. And the most important thing you need to know? Maurice is, without a doubt, the Goodest Boy.
About the artist:
Bea was born in Bratislava, Slovakia, where she studied graphic design and earned a Magister degree in marketing communications and mass media. After a decade-long hiatus from creating, she returned to art seven years ago and has since immersed herself in mixed media, combining painting, tapestry, printmaking, and bookbinding to create unexpected and expressive pieces.
Her work explores relationships—how patterns, colors, and forms shift depending on their context, much like the human experience. “I create for myself,” she says. “I might be a painter this decade and a sculptor the next.” In 2024, Bea opened a studio in Carmel-by-the-Sea, showcasing her work alongside that of local and California-based artists. She lives in Pacific Grove with her husband and son.
Visit Bea at her Studio at San Carlos btwn Ocean & 7th or online at beatavavrova.com