Beauty Interview with Ôna Maiocco : « Beauty is something that is always doing me good. It takes care of me every day. It’s what I live for. »
Beauty: a reason for living. Ona Maiocco always seems to have a smile on her face. She fills us with joy and beauty. Known for her recipes made with local and organic ingredients, with an emphasis on plants and vegetables, she’s someone who exudes generosity and gentleness. And her well-being and happy mood are infectious! Talking with her is like being given a good dose of kindness and goodness!
Can you tell us about the last time Beauty helped you or healed you?
Beauty is something that is always doing me good. It takes care of me every day. It’s what I live for. It lifts me into a state of grace that enables me to cope with all the large and small difficulties in life. It makes them less important, makes me see them differently. I had two moments of Beauty today. I saw a magnificent snake on a stone step, next to my home. I really like reptiles. And I saw the work of a friend of mine who’s a painter. He’s creating a lot at the moment and I loved what he’d done. I was really moved by it!
My contribution is through cooking. There’s no suffering; just beautiful, 100% organic and local ingredients.
Ona Maiocco
How do you bring more Beauty to the world?
My contribution is through cooking. There’s no suffering; just beautiful, 100% organic, local ingredients – vegetables and plants. I try to bring Beauty by growing beautiful plants, and looking after flowers and shrubs. They feed the insects. And because I’m someone who smiles a lot, I bring that too. I can’t help myself!
If I say Beauty, what do you think of?
I think about two things. First of all, I think of flowers. I’m surrounded by flowers – they’re just gorgeous! And I also think about a fresco in Florence, an Annunciation by Fra Angelico, painted on the wall of a monastery. There’s an angel and the Virgin Mary, and there is so much purity in that painting. It reveals an immense, universal Beauty.
Do you believe that Beauty will save us? How?
Beauty will help us to save the world. It will help us to build what we call this “new paradigm.” Why? Because Beauty shows us how to take care of the fragile and precious things around us.
Do you remember the first thing that amazed you as a child?
I don’t remember, but I do know that I was extremely sensitive to colors, whether it was when I was playing with my Barbie dolls, dressing up, or on my little pony … Pink would make me so happy ! I remember that for a few weeks, it was the only color I wore !
Where does Beauty hide? Can it be found in the most ordinary things?
They often say that the devil is in the detail, but for me, it’s Beauty that’s in the detail! When you take a moment, in silence, to get closer to something and really take in a tiny detail, like a texture that changes, and you look at it with all your heart… You’ll find Beauty there.
What is your motto or philosophy in life to make you feel beautiful and fulfilled?
When you’re in a hurry, take a detour. I think it’s a Chinese proverb. It helps me. I’m often in too much of a hurry, like most people, and I don’t take enough detours. But by taking them, you connect with Beauty more easily. You see things differently. I like this motto.
What feeling does Beauty arouse in you? Could you describe it?
For me, aesthetic emotions are like a wave that flows through the heart chakra. It makes me feel like I’ve opened up, like I’m in harmony with the universe. It often brings tears to my eyes. I feel a huge gratitude for being able to experience this, and to feel so alive.
