We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maya Nicole a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maya , thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
Immediately, I think of how I’ve always resonated with the feeling of being misunderstood. The idea that the world around me did not receive me in my truth has always felt loud. The kids down the block, adults in my world, and sometimes my family found ways to show they did not understand me. How far will we go to be recognized? I went far and came back with cuts and bruises each time. I went against my inner knowing in hopes that others would see me. The cycle of feeling unseen lead me to loose sight of myself. Rather than accepting everyone wasn’t meant to know me, I continued to suffer. I focused so much on perfecting this image so the world would see how good I was. Being good only gets you so far, especially when the rewards don’t match the efforts.
I have always had a strong sense of self, but it got stronger when I got comfortable with being misunderstood. The power of self acceptance triumphs any specific story I could share with you. But, I believe so many of us resonate with being misunderstood and unseen. Everyone wants to be loved and supported to be themselves, no matter what that looks like. I now believe that’s more than possible because that is our birth right. Pain comes from not accepting some places and faces will reject us and then internalizing that rejection. Look around at the love around you instead. Everything comes from within, even being understood.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Maya Nicole here, and I consider myself to be an intuitive and abstract multi-media artist. I have always been passionate for creating and bringing bold expression into the world. As a NYC artist, I hold my cultural exposures dear, as this allowed me to stay open-minded and experimental. Since childhood I can think back to being in dance school, wanting to sing, performing in school plays, and even putting on art shows for my grandparents. Back then, I never considered how artistic I have always been, but boy-oh-boy have I learned a thing or two. My journey is layered with different experiences that all still compliment and only strengthen my creative expressions now. I hold a degree in international business and marketing and this combination compliments my pursuit for global expression.
My works explore the themes of self-acceptance, grief, sexuality, and the feminine figure. My work is raw, honest, and deeply personal, inviting you into my world and exposing the vulnerability within. Through my art, I confront my fears, express my hopes, and connect with my true self. Each piece reflects my ever-evolving journey, and my willingness to share this journey with my audience is a testament to my courage and authenticity. I am transmuting through multiple mediums; acrylic painting, film photography, furniture refurbishing, and clothing up-cycling. Despite having minimal formal training, I have honed my skills through dedication and natural talent.
“Maya’s art is a reflection of her free spirit and uninhibited creativity, as she refuses to be bound by conventional rules and limitations.”
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
In this era, If I can be honest, I’m actively re-evaluating my “why” when it comes to my journey. I have been navigating the creative industry for the last 3 years, and I can admit things within me are changing. When I look at all my creative interest separately, I understand each moment. I want people to experience their feelings when they engage with anything I create. My truth as an artist is that I began this journey to better understand my internal world. My emotional self has always felt complex and even larger than me sometimes. Art has allowed me to become gentler with myself and my processes in art and in the world. I encourage others to embrace their intuition and uniqueness to create amazing f*cking things. But you have to be willing to feel and accept yourself wholeheartedly. I find myself in this conversation quite often. Many of us have been stunted emotionally , why continue to live in limits. A part of the mission is to get us to refocus our attention back to self and awaken. Not because the process is pretty or even feels good, but because we deserve to feel the full spectrum of life.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I’m close to closing out on year 26, and life has gifted me so many lessons this year. The biggest revelation I have come to is just how responsible we really have to be for ourselves at some point. Some might say that’s obvious and all I can say is mind your judgements. I get a bit overwhelmed with the concept of adulthood at times. I see parts of my world and reality do not line up. I think back to the timeline I had imagined that started in high school and felt polished by the time I left university. I can assure you the timeline is the biggest joke we place on ourselves as growing adults.
I thought I had a alot of control over life, and I had to unlearn that quick! This truth has rocked me to my core, and one day you look up and every other joke is about you being close to 30. Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to that time and the years to come after. But whew!
I am excited about getting older and mastering the rest of the lessons life will continue to throw at me. I can’t think of one specific moment because this is the reoccurring theme in my life. I am grateful to continue to learn more about myself through life experiences. I am excited to see how they continue to impact my creative expression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mayanicole.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaaanicole__/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-downer-62200411a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuCuneUKsVyzdXehUHHZloQ
Image Credits
Anthony Artis Coloredshot