About The Artist

Maia (pronounced my-ee-uh) means midwife, nurse, or mother and my parents say I was appropriately named. I’m a nurturer (with a laid back and goofy personality). I want people around me to not only be happy but to have a sense of belonging, which is why in my art I give space to those who are constantly being told they don’t belong. And as a result of my happy-go-lucky nature, I tend to use laughter to make people feel comfortable outside of my art.

I grew up in a Caribbean household in the Chicagoland area. My mom is from Jamaica and my dad from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. With this mix of cultures, I learned the importance of having an open mind early on. I am a strong advocate for second chances and refraining from judging people based off of a few moments in time (mindset reinforced by Bryan Stevenson's "Just Mercy"). 

 I am currently attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as an undergraduate art major, looking to perfect my craft while adding depth to my portraits through my education and experiences.