Meet Maia Gabrielle | Artist & Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maia Gabrielle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My main thought process behind starting my own business, was largely trying to figure out how I could become sustainable and adapt to the shift in the work force, as well as workers safety during the main stint of the Covid 19 pandemic. I realized I needed to become self sufficient, and take things into my own control more. I knew I had what it would take to be totally reliant on myself, I just needed the push and to keep going forward.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Honestly, it’s hard for me to talk about my art, I don’t really know what happens, I just have a play on words or a vague idea that pops into my head and I just let it flow out through my finger tips. I’m incredibly playful with my work and use of color. I’m not one who is limited to only one medium, but rather someone who is all over the place, and I like that. The exploration of various mediums and honing artistic knowledge, are some of my favorite aspects of art, and I think that transfers into my art.
I’ve often been said I’m like a “mature Lisa frank,” due to the kinds of colors I use while putting my animal subjects onto canvas or paper.
I channel my love of wildlife & for nature through my art and focus mostly on animal subjects these days, or I will explore into more of the fantasy realm and create celestial beings that embody femininity and the power of being a woman.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I keep my favorite spots secret now, in my home town. But a vague outline, we’d have to go to some coffee shops, explore some mountain and river trails, and grab some burgers at Wally & Buck.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shout out my maternal grandmother, Carole DeMarinis, for facilitating a passion for art. Thank you for bringing me into your studio, and putting art supplies in my hands and paper in front of me.
Thank you for lighting this passionate fire within me, that I’ve harbored & nurtured for the last 30 years.
And thank you to my Mom, Naomi DeMarinis, for keeping that flame stoked and going, throughout my life. Even now.

Website: www.umamimamicreations.com

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