I'm Maya, a fine artist and live painter based in Jupiter, Florida, and Asheville, North Carolina.

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A little bit about me: I grew up in the mountains of WNC, immersed in nature and the local art scene, where I had a working studio in Asheville's River Arts District before Hurricane Helene. Before that, I received my BFA in painting from Western Carolina University while also playing on their Division 1 Women's Golf team. It was a wonderful experience studying, traveling, and playing golf while furthering my work as an artist. While I was there, I took the opportunity to study art restoration abroad in Florence, Italy. It was an incredible experience working on 14th-century church ruins and restoring centuries-old paintings.

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Following college, I completed a summer residency program at the New York Academy of Art, where I delved into figurative painting, drawing, and sculpting while immersing myself in NYC's vibrant art scene. More recently, my studies have taken me to Yorkshire, England, where I studied plein air painting with North American artist Mark Boedges.

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Now, I have a studio in Jupiter Farms, where I'm creating paintings alongside studio mates ranging from chickens, pigs, and turkeys to goats, a donkey, horses, and a miniature pony. If you ever want to stop by and see what I'm working on, feed a horse, or pet a donkey, feel free to connect and come by!

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My passion for painting has taken me to over 100 weddings and events, mural projects for residential homes and businesses such as Laila Indian Cuisine, The Grey Eagle, and Banks Ave, galleries and exhibitions including The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts, Zan Zan Gallery, Wellington City Hall, Pink Dog Creative, Miles Art Gallery and various outdoor art festivals, such as ArtiGras, Artfest by the Sea in Juno Beach, and Delray Affair. It has been an incredible journey, and I'm so grateful for each and every person who has trusted me with their special day or their vision for their home and/or business, as well as the collectors who have connected with my work.

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My personal and commission artwork showcases a diverse portfolio ranging from pet paintings, landscapes, and portraiture to colorful abstracts and explorative landscapes and interiors. Live painting aligns perfectly with my outgoing personality and passion for capturing moments in time through genre painting. My artistic style emphasizes color, light, a sense of realism, and expressive brushstrokes.

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My current body of work consists of contemporary tropical landscapes featuring different native plant species, exploring color and dynamic forms. I'm inspired by the geometry and abundance of Florida's coastal plants, which persist throughout the expanding urban landscape, even as these natural areas face increasing threats from development. 

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Whether I'm painting live at a wedding, creating a custom piece for a collector, or exploring new landscapes in the studio, I'm continually inspired by the opportunity to capture moments, places, and the beauty of the world around me through paint. I'm beyond grateful to continue growing as an artist and to share that journey with the people who connect with my work.