Maya Kay Art
i am an advocate for maya
Empowered.
That word seems to fall from my lips so easily when I talk about Maya’s work.
Empowered by her pieces, my response to them is always a visceral one. I study the details of the paint and immediately reflect on my own experience.
There is something in the fierce figures of her works that I become newly awakened to. In them I see myself, both as I am, and as I aspire to be. The experience is something akin to a nurturing invitation.
And the longer I look, the more it reveals to me.
How you see the power in her work is by her ability to witness the underlying emotions within people’s unique beauty and capture it all in a painted likeness. She is doing through her art what I hope to do with these series…
celebrate the stories of others.
She shows their empowerment through her own, brush strokes of simultaneous calm and wild cry.
“I want people to look at my work and pause for a moment”
I am grateful to be a first hand receiver of Maya's artistry. I came to her asking if she could re-create this photograph of my Mom, which was intended as a gift to my brother and, honestly, for myself as well. I knew Maya's touch would bring with it a new kind of life to a moment in time I no longer get to hear my Mom speak of.
And that is part of Maya's gift. Her brush strokes gave life to the absence of memory now known a little more. She captured the creative impulse of my Mom. What Terri was exuding in this shadowed portrait now has a different vibrancy. Though I may never know my Mom's exact thoughts in this moment, I feel joy at the idea that her, mine, and Maya's creative impulses have found one another.
Art has always been a part of her life, but it wasn’t until a conversation with her college mentor, where after years of placing obsessive focus on good grades at the expense of her well-being, that art re-entered.
“She encouraged me to cultivate self-love by putting my time into the things that I loved to do, even if they weren’t “productive”. For me, that had always been making art, so I started making time for it again.”
And since, the creativity has flowed in the form of colored pencils, bleached clothes, self-taught acrylic paints, and digital brushes on Procreate, her pieces resembling those of oil paintings.
With such artistry and powerful images, I was compelled to ask Maya what these figures mean to her.
How do you choose the people you draw?
“I like drawing people who look confident and peaceful. Most people need more confidence and peace so I hope that when people see my work they pick up some of that energy. But sometimes it’s not that deep and I just paint a picture because of an interesting composition, a striking model, or beautiful light and shadows.”
I see feminine energy in much of your work, do you see feminine energy as important to you?
“Yes! All people have some masculine and some feminine energy. Both are beautiful and valuable, but historically feminine energy has been undervalued. To me, feminine energy is creative, intuitive, and life-giving. I hope to elevate and celebrate that energy in my work.”
Below you’ll find some Maya Kay insight into the inspiration behind the figures…
photo credit: mayakayart
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The original reference photo for this piece got my attention because of these wild shades. I love bugs and I love unique fashion pieces. I improvised the earrings to go along with the natural jewelry theme. The photo was taken by Instagram influencer @_ppprincesss
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This reference photo was taken by a dope photographer that goes by @shooglet on Instagram. Their work centers the beauty of big, queer bodies. I wanted to paint this particular photo because the model looks like she is absolutely at peace.
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photo credit: mayakayart
photo credit: mayakayart
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I saw the reference photo of this woman and thought she was absolutely rocking this unique hairstyle. I love the confidence she exudes and wanted to capture that. (I found this photo on Pinterest, and wasn't able to find the photographer or model).
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Art is Life.
She and I talked about this, how we all create, and are capable of creating, no matter what form it comes. She makes it a point to affirm women in concept and in life. They are people doing some badass work for equality, self-love, and education.
photo credit: mayakayart
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“I also hope that my work helps make it obvious that you don't need to be thin and white to be beautiful. We have been spoon-fed this very narrow notion of beauty to cultivate insecurities that businesses use to make a profit. I hope my work makes it a little easier to let go of these insecurities.”
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I admire her willingness to put her art out there and to feature those who inspire her.
There is enough to fear the world's reaction to your self-expression, sharing your creations with the world requires a certain vulnerability, as each creation is in a way, a part of yourself. There is the hope they will be received, and there is the possibility they won't be.
But there is too much joy in creating, too many important words to say, to let fear restrict. So she does it. The result, beautiful opportunities for reflection and appreciation.
Maya and her art exemplify that to me.
photo credit: mayakayart
Because no matter the reaction, when there is a message to be spoken, in support of POC lives, LGBTQ+ lives, the lives of artists and creatives, she and her art, will speak boldly.
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“I want people to look at my work and pause for a moment. Society pushes people to keep scrolling, pushing and moving constantly. It is counter-cultural to stop and just look at something and take in the paint strokes and the colors. If people look at my work and it transports them somewhere for a few moments before they carry on with their busy day, I'm happy.”
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You can advocate for Maya’s work at lilyandpapaya.com and buy her a coffee at her ko-fi page.
Thank you, Maya
.Kels.